#also yeah. these do all kinda start with somebody waking up in a situation. but this is the wake up again game so I'm allowed to do that

[vertumnanaturalis]

A lot of people seemed to like my last one, so woe! More fic ideas be upon all ye again; compilation of au ideas I posted in LQ and haven't been edited to be easier to read edition!

(below the cut, because theres like 12 of them and its a big messy mess)

Nem?Tang fic where they wake up in some ancient convergent domain plant device with only hazy memories of how they got there but nothing solid enough to work off of, and also why is their hair so long, and where are their clothes, and where is the goddamn colony? Because oopsie daisy! it seems that somebody put them in the ancient alien magitech healing goo and forgot to take them out when they were done, and now two hundred years have passed and everybody else they know and love are long dead, and also apparently some giant ass fleet of earth guys tried to land while they were having a snooze but! oh! whoopsie! yet again! somebody sent them the wrong information about how to safely get through the wormhole and the majority of the fleet did not make it to the surface in one piece!!! and the some of the survivors may or may not have folk stories about people that may or may not be Nem and Tang’s loved ones doing either great or terrible things during those two hundred years they were sleeping through!!

mermaid au where Besk was a mermaid trapped in a research facility and Instance broke her out during her ecoterrorist days but Besk couldn’t go back to the ocean because (hand waves) so she stayed with Instance as a slightly-more-free test subject who could technically come and go as she pleases, and she did, and eventually came back from one of her outings with two whole goddamn babies, and despite their both their hopes both babies seem to be pretty much normal human babies except for the occasional weird non-human thing, like eating whole raw eggs or Tangent having an overnight sex change shortly after saying she’s a girl, and feeling like she’s the only mermaid left in the world eventually leads Besk to doing the same thing she always does, and now Instance is stuck with two ambiguously half-human grieving kindergartners, and now it’s the world’s words hybrid of Wolf Children and The Thirteenth Year (with a mild dose of human experimentation sprinkled on top)

modern day/modern-ish all humans on earth au fic where Sym is a pre-school teacher(or aid??) who just moved to a new town with his beloved edgelord of a boyfriend who never wants to talk about his past or childhood and Sym only knows bits and pieces that he’s mentioned over the past few years (but that’s fine he’s just got his secrets nothing new there), and at his new job with his new class there’s a young single parent of twins that also moved into town only a little bit after he did, and apparently they don’t have anybody in their life besides their kids, they don’t have any family and the kids dad isn’t in the picture, so he does the nice friendly thing and offers to lend a hand if they need help with anything, and one afternoon as he’s supposed to be leaving work after making sure that the kids are all picked up, he spots said single parent and said beloved edgelord talking/arguing about something, because apparently they used to know each other but haven’t seen each other in a long while, and his boyfriend doesn’t wanna hear what “actually super important and kinda immediately relevant” thing that his old friend wants to talk about, and before Sym can really stop them the two kids go running to greet their parent, and look we all know where this plot is heading fellas

(not sure if this one should follow Tang or Dys primarily but Imma go with Tang side for this) fic where there’s more people than canon but they’re still on Vertumna with little research on it & Sol has dream memories (maybe use part of the old idea about the Helio arriving as part of a mini fleet instead of a lone ship?), and Tang’s intelligence is lauded like in canon and she’s put into the best position to learn smarty smarts stuff, while Dys’ rebelliousness gets him no favors with the Man and gets himself marked as a troubled kid and moved away from his sister, with Tang being told that she can seek him out once she’s an adult if she still wants to but for now not to waste her time or energy on worrying about him and focus on her studies. She keeps hearing him being mentioned in passing as being part of some big secret alien-centric program to so she knows that he hasn’t gone awol, but she still doesn’t see him for the next 3 to 5 years even tho she still gets to see most of the other kids (bar Sol, who was also yoinked by the secret alien program). Fast forward to her being an adult enough adult who seems appropriately level headed for doing amoral sciences, so she’s invited to see the big important secret alien project, and “_so Tangent, you know how some of the xenofauna can pass information and feeling between individuals of different species through physical contact, and that there’s some functional technology leftover from the alien civilization that lived here beforehand? And that your brother spent a lot of time exploring ruins? And how sometimes science needs sacrifices? For the greater good and all that? :)?” and Tang gets to see her brother as one of the star subjects of the project’s attempt to recreate a messy version of the array (while not even understanding what it actually is)

like 3 different variants (Geranium, Flulu, and Hal+Tonin+Sol’s she group on a field trip” of “like 3 weeks after landing somebody falls into a mini wormhole and comes out 25 years into the future, except none of them went missing in the second timeline, and now they’re in the future having to deal with the way life actually turned out, and they don’t even know all of the stuff that their other selves do/did, because they may or may not be alive still in this other timeline”. (Actually what got me into working on all those future kid things because I wanted to know who’d be doing what when and with who)

au where Besk blacks out shortly before her suicide attempt and wakes up in a cave on Vertumna, having 0 idea where she is or how she got there, and stumbles around thinking she’s dead until one of the surveyors finds her, and upon getting back to the colony she finds out that she’s supposed to have been dead for the last 11 or so years, with her two five year olds now being sixteen (the same age as her when she left Earth & also how long she spent on the Strato), and she has to learn how to adapt to everything and being alive when she shouldn’t be while there are so many others who died and aren’t magically alive again, and also has to do all this while more or less locked under constant observation, because BOY nobody is going to casually leave her alone for like, so many reasons

fic that opens with Kom waking up in the medbay after the age 14 glow attack and Nem and their younger brothers and all his friends are so unbelievably glad he’s awake and ok, but he keeps learning about the not canon possible things that happened either during the attack or while he was healing (like his mom dying while helping the kids evacuate the creche or chief Rhett and Sol’s parents having died defending geoponics), and he’s just stuck with this unending feeling that he’s supposed to be dead right now, but he’s not, and I’m not sure where to go with the story past that

au where Kom wakes up five years before the Strato reaches the wormhole with the knowledge that he’s going to die ten years from now, and it more or less follows a dreamer Kom story except that he knows that his story only has one conclusion, and rather than trying to prevent his own death he spends that time trying to save and protect as many people in his life as he can (maybe prequel to above scenario?)

obligatory single “nice” modern au fic except that nice has to be in quotation marks because technically it’d be about Dys breaking into Sym’s house after committing a major felony and definitely in a big hurty thinking that it was abandoned, but like surprise! it’s not! and even tho Dys fully expects Sym to call the cops on him and wake up in jail he instead wakes up in Sym’s guest room and immediately assumes that he either died already, accidentally tripped into the fae realm, or Sym is some kinda polite hannibal ass serial killer, and it’d be just a whole bunch of Sym being genuinely kind and nice to Dys while Dys is just “y tho like literally what is wrong with you”, and it takes like 2 years and several more major felonies for them to get together. also this might’ve spawned off of the earlier pre school teacher one but it’s not 100% attached to it so that’s why it has it’s own bulletpoint

2.5 flavors of a Hunger Games AU, which are "special games where its announced that this year each district has to send two siblings/other close family members, and the twins get reaped in their district", "one of the younger boys gets reaped but Kom volunteers in their place", and "Tang watching as Dys gets reaped the first year he's applicable for it and she can't do anything about it, and then having to watch as Kom (in his last year of being applicable) volunteers in her brother's place and all of his siblings are now freaking out" which only came to me as I was sharing the first two.

also have this flawless related image

au where Sym sees videos of wild animals in urban areas being relocated to a better habitat on the data thing Sol gives him and he comes up with a fresh new idea; cut to his two favorite humans (age 13/14) waking up on a strange beach some few thousand kilometers away from the colony several weeks later with 0 idea how they got there (ark opening tune starts to play)

also whatever this is

anyways, that's definately not all of the random au ideas I've had and don't include some of the more developed ones I've actually made effort to work on/flesh out, but these were on hand and I wanted to share them too

[cherry-cola-on-ice]

Slashers with a sleepwalking s/o

AN: totally based off my personal experiences sleepwalking lol asked my friends and family what their favorite sleepwalking episode was.

Jason Voorhees 🏕

Jason is already paranoid AF about you unknowingly wandering into a trap during the day.

But the first time he comes across you in the woods at night? When you should be asleep?

He is not a happy man. Many thoughts run through his mind. Are you trying to leave him? Trying to get yourself hurt? Would you rather die then be with him?

It takes him a good while and a lot of explaining for him to understand what's happening. That your not intentionally doing this. Science shit™️

He sets up a system. Maybe a bell or two. Something loud to let him know where you are. Maybe some trip wires.

Strangest thing he's seen you do: He watched you eat a entire sleeve of saltines while standing in the shower.

Michael Myers 🎃

Michael's seen some shit. So this is nothing. All those years in Smiths Grove have prepared him for this. So you sleepwalk? Cool, his neighbor at Smiths Grove used to eat cockroachs.

That being said, the closer you're relationship grows, the more worried he becomes. What if you fall down the stairs? What if you wander into the road? What if, what if, what if??

He doesn't have the foresight to set up traps, like Jason does.

Uses his fucked up sleep schedule to his advantage and often stands over your sleeping body. Jumpscare.

Will definitely tie a bell on you while you sleep. Totally not a collar what are you saying? Don't make it kinky.

The strangest thing he's seen you do: Put all of the remotes in the refrigerator because they needed batteries.

Thomas Hewitt 🥩

Poor sweet man. You're going to give him a heart attack one of these days.

However, he's probably one of the more better prepared of the lot. His house is set up to keep people in and out. So there isn't much danger you can get into.

Unless he forgets to lock up the basement. Which has happened once. And only once. You were fairly unharmed if not a little traumatized.

Has taken to locking your bedroom door. Also installs like 10 latches. AND puts a bell on the doorknob. And maybe sometimes you.

Look, he's already scared of losing you to somebody else, he doesn't want to have to worry him losing you to you.

Strangest thing he's seen you do: Him, Monty and Hoyt sat and watched you stand in front of the sink for a hour and a half. Just standing there. Menacingly

Brahms Heelshire 🐀

Oh, poor baby is confused. Especially at the start of your situation-ship. You don't know he's there, you just think you're babysitting a doll for a sad old couple. Not their grown ass son who lives in the walls.

The first time Brahms finds you sleepwalking, he's pissed. You trying to leave him, he knows you are. But... did you just snore?? Wait, you're asleep. He feels a little better about the situation.

Until you start walking towards the stairs. Boy's never moved so fast in his life. He knows if he wakes you up it's game over. So he gives you a gentle nudge back to your room.

Now after you find about the rat man in the walls, things are different. Brahms, even in the deepest REM cycle, will never let you go. Man is a koala and you are the tree he's clinging to for dear life. It's almost impossible to escape his arms at night.

Almost makes you sleep in the walls instead of the bedroom so you're safer. Like ain't no way you're getting out of those without him waking up.

Strangest thing he's seen you do: Sat up in bed, complaining about the maracas in your mouth??? He cried.

Billy Lenz 🎄

World's worst caretaker 👑

Especially before yall start dating because, at that point in time, he's still trying to decide if he wants to kill you. He won't lie, he very briefly thought about pushing you down the stairs.

But? After you win him over? Yeah still kinda sucks ass at keeping you from hurting yourself. He'll keep you alive, mind you, just a little worse for wear.

He asked you once if he could tie you down in bed. You didn't like the look in his eyes so you declined. Billy pouted for the next three days.

TBH he might do it anyways. Look he's just trying to keep your silly little self safe, S/O. Get your mind out of the gutter. Haha, jk...unless 😏?

The strangest thing he's seen you do is eat a entire bag of gummy bears while standing outside. He joined you.

Vincent Sinclair 🖌

Another prepared king 👑

His workshop is dangerous. Upstairs is dangerous. The whole town is health code violation. And bby cannot stand the idea of you hurting yourself.

But other then the constant anxiety that you'll some how end up falling off the stairs or falling into the wax or the any other number of things his brain comes up with, he's very level-headed.

Child safety locks. He buys that shit in bulk.

But hey, gives him a excuse to hold you at night. (Vincent, they're literally your s/o)

The strangest thing he's seen you do is stand over Bo's bed, chanting tomato. Bo almost cried.

Bo Sinclair 🔧

Definition of "Look at that idiot...oh wait that's my idiot!"

Honestly, probably the worst. Not like 'let's you just walk around' worst, but more like 'Imma gonna chain you to the bed' worst.

Dude's so scared of losing you, pretty much the best thing that ever happened to him, that his willing to go to drastic matters to keep you safe.

Don't try to explain the science behind it, you'll only give him a migraine. Just let him keep you safe. K, bby?

Bo's gonna lose sleep some nights, he's that scared. No doubt you will wake up to the feeling of someone watching you. Just comfort him, ok?

Strangest thing he's seen you do is sit up in bed and start singing 'Livin La Vida Loca'

Asa Emory 🪲

Number one prepared king™️

I'm not saying he may or may not, kinda sorta perhaps placed cameras around your living situation before you two even began dating. But yeah he did.

So he knows all about the crazy shenanigans you are up to at night.

He reads the books, watching online lectures 👏all👏the👏research. You can bet your sweet ass he knows exactly how to wake you up in case of emergency.

In the same breath, despite how much he does love you, science. Prepare to be studied like a bug under a microscope.

Strangest thing he's seen you do is standing with the refrigerator doors open, telling him how much you love this show.

Norman Bates 🚿

My poor sweet innocent murder bby. He doesn't know what to do.

Yeah, keep you safe, he's got that much down. But at what cost?

The hotel looks like a a daycare center now. Baby proofing everywhere (ask him about getting locked out of the bathroom, it's funny)

Suggested a collar once as a joke, wasn't expecting you to agree. Got flustered. Dropped his cup, maybe got a bone.

Another koala sleeper, so good luck escaping his embrace. Will go as far as following you to the bathroom to make sure you're actually awake.

Strangest thing he's seen you do is sit down in a fake potted plant in the living room and talk about dinosaurs.

[7ndipity]

Falling for a friend: Maknae line

Maknae line x Reader

Summary: How they would handle and confess to having romantic feelings for a friend

Warnings: swearing, mentions of drinking,

A/N: As promised, here's the maknae line lists! I'll also link Hyung line here in case you haven't read those. Hope you like them!

Masterlist

Requests are open

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

Jimin:

Tbh, Jimin was the hardest member for me figure out, because the only word that came to mind was 'confusion'.

Like, it would be a near 180 from Namjoon's scenario. No one knows wtf is actually going on with you two, except maybe him. And even he's all over the place about it.

(Literally half your friend group thought you were already dating? Help?!)

It's not even like he intentionally meant to confuse you(or at least, not completely), but he's such a naturally massive flirt that sometimes it's hard to tell where you stand with him.

Honestly feels kinda guilty when he realizes his feelings aren't purely platonic, cause he's not sure if you feel the same, so he kinda starts testing the waters, like Hobi, to see how you respond, but starts to worry if he's manipulating the situation to fit his wants.

Big on casual affection, both giving and receiving, but he's kinda sly about it. Says shit like "oh, your nails/rings/etc look so cool!" so he can grab your hand to examine them and then just... doesn't let go?

Flops his head in your lap and is just like 🥺"Pet my hair?"(he's basically like having an overly affectionate cat)

But heaven forbid you get too close or flirt with somebody else, because he will get salty af and sulk.

Finally confesses one night when he comes over to hang out after a particularly long day. As had become typical routine, the two of you were sat side by side on the floor at your coffee table, eating takeout and watching TV.

At ease for the first time all day, he could feel the fatigue begining to catch up with him, letting his head droop to rest on your shoulder. Without missing a beat, you offered him another bite of food, which he accepted with a muffled "thank you."

The two of you stayed like this til the end of your show, him looking up at you sleepily, a small smile teasing at the corners of his mouth as he watched you, his heart giving a little twist.

"I love you."

You looked down at him in surprise, his expression leaving no room for misunderstanding.

"I love you too." You replied.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." You smiled.

"Good." He shifts around so that he can wrap his arms around you more comfortably, pressing a kiss to your cheek before settling against you again.

Feeling his breaths begin to even out against your neck, you feel yourself being lulled to sleep, sinking further into his hold.

The two of you wake up later in the same position with sore necks, but you couldn't care less.

Taehyung:

Honestly? Unbothered(lying)

Don't misunderstand, it's not that he doesn't care about those feelings, it's more that he doesn't mind them, if that makes sense? Like, of course he's in love with you, who wouldn't be?

Pendulum swings between cocky and shy with you.

Easily impressed by you doing anything. He hears you sing and he's like🥺. Doesn't matter if you sound like an angel or a cat trapped in trash can, he's so down hard for you and applauding either way.

Thrives on skinship with you, giving out hugs for anything. You passed an exam/got a promotion? Hugs. You bought his favorite snacks? Hugs. You breathe? HUGS!

Doesn't hide his feelings for you, but doesn't act on them either.

Like, y'all have sleepovers and he'll joke like "And there was only one bed!" But then nothing ever happens.

Kinda likes the weird limbo state you're in, until he thinks someone else is also into you and he turns into a sulky baby, ranting about it to one of his hyungs. "What are you so worried about, I thought you guys were already a thing?" "No, it's not like that." "Then what is it?" And he just doesn't have a good answer for that.

"Truth or dare?"

"Truth." You say, scraping more batter out of the bowl sat between the two on your tiny kitchen table as you played the game that had become a habit for you.

"When did you realize you were falling for me?" He asks with a cheeky grin.

"Dare."

"You can't change answers now!" He laughed.

"Says who?"

"Me!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were on the official rule committee for truth or dare."

"If you don't answer, I win."

"You always win." You grumbled, making him grin, thinking that was the end of it.

"My birthday."

He looked back up at you surprise, not having expected to actually get an answer. "What?"

"It was right after I had moved here, and I didn't really know anyone yet, except you." You said, fiddling with your spoon.

"I remember." He said, watching you closely.

"But you showed up with balloons and a cake, saying you couldn't let me be alone." You shrugged. "I don't know, it made me feel... special."

You were now very aware of his eyes on you, making you nervous you'd said too much. "Nevermind, it's dumb-"

Before you could finish, he had caught your face in his hands and kissed you.

Jungkook:

As I think I've mentioned before, I think he gets small crushes pretty easily, to the point that when he notices the shift in his feelings for you, he doesn't really acknowledge it at first, figuring it'll go away in week or two, no biggie.

But then it doesn't.

And then he panics a lil bit. Ghosts you for like three days, then goes back to normal without any explanation, and you're just like "???okay???"

He decides he's just gonna play it cool, but he is not nearly as subtle as he thinks he is.

You're each other's comfort person, so you're together constantly which means even a tiny shift in his habits or behavior stands out.

Although it's not hard to notice how much clingier he's become(and jealous of FUCKING EVERYONE), so it's not difficult to put two and two together.

Would probably have realized you like him too, if he weren't so busy trying to act slick and come up with excuses to hang out all the time.

Y'all play flirt constantly too, which blurrs the lines between 'friend' and 'definitely not friend' even more, but sometimes you manage to catch him off guard.

One night when you're hanging out together, and he's a couple drinks in and lets his guard down. And you complement him on how good he looks or smth, and he just smirks.

"You want me so bad." He says in a low voice, trying to tease you,

And it's then as you're sitting there watch him, you decide fuck it, and just put it out there.

"Yeah, I do."

Nearly giving himself whiplash from how fast he spins around, he turns to stare at you wide eyed. "Wait, what?!"

"What?"

"You said-." His eyes are so big now, you can almost see the wheels turning as he tries to make sense of what just happened. "You like me?"

"Yeah." You shrug, trying to play it off. "Is that okay?"

He nods slowly, a smile beginning to creep across his features. "I like you too."

You're both suddenly aware of how close you're both now sitting.

"Can I kiss you?" He asks, already starting to lean in, before jumping back abruptly.

"Wait, ugh, my breath stinks like beer, lemme go brush my teeth!" He says, practically vaulting over the sofa and running for the bathroom, leaving you sitting there, unable to bite back the laugh that slips out because he's just so... him.

But that's why you love him.

Taglist: @fandems

[forgiveness-in-the-misery]

Spoilers for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

So the ending was genuinely the one thing that I hated because I have no fucking idea what or when the ending actually starts to be honest.

Considering at the wedding he says he loves a good dream sequence and then post wedding we get the trip to Europe, Astrid’s wedding, demon baby birth followed by Lydia waking up in bed with BJ who comments that he essentially had a similar dream but then she wakes up again in bed alone I have like a billion fucking questions.

Did the wedding scene even happen? Did the movie even happen? Has he just been so stuck in her mind since she was a teenager to the point she has detailed dreams involving him and ending up in another situation where she almost marries him again?

Usually weird shit is a sign of a dream but its a sequel to a movie about the afterlife made by Tim Burton so that can’t be used as a reference point at all.

Again the dream sequence comment is the only thing making me wonder how much of the movie was somebodys dream either Lydia’s or BJ’s.

I personally am incredibly rarely a fan of “it was a dream” because just like Deadpool turning back time in Deadpool 2 it makes a story feel like time wasted to find out none of it happened.

So yeah ending on either a short dream sequence or none of it happened at all annoys me.

But other than that I did love the movie like 98% of it honestly. I kinda think they could have recast Charles cause I have seen tons of dudes who look similar to his actor and Delia dying kind of sucked, I genuinely forgot Delores was even in the film since she just dropped off the face of the Earth soon after being introduced as the big bad since the Jeremy stuff become the biggest threat to anybody. I do feel Lydia and Rory was off maybe because we never saw Lydia date before so other than pill popping and trauma I don’t fully see how she would end up with a dude like him since she never seemed attracted to him or even liked him at all so its wild she still wanted to marry him because he’s nice?

I do fully agree she should have married Beetlejuice considering she’s a full ass adult now but also he was the only guy out of Richard and Rory she even had onscreen chemistry with for me, plus he just seems to genuinely care for her. And the wedding not happening felt super random like Astrid just saying it was illegal and couldn’t happen like Lydia seemed to have no feelings on it either way to be real here sooo yknow

But again the whole dream thing which brings the story back to complicated.

Luckily the movie is artistically done and fun to generally look at. Lydia as a mom and wife still feels weird to me since they’re roles that seem super out of place for me with her and I think she should have gotten with Beetlejuice because the film genuinely gave no reason at all for that to not happen.

He wasn’t even a villain in this movie which confuses me about Burton saying he’s a sleazy perv who never changes since he’s literally spent 30 years pining for the same woman and trying to contact her using the psychic link they have and spends the movie just doing shit that he hopes will make her happy and also just doing what she ask of him with no real strings attached. He has no motive or mention of wanting to be mortal this time or any evil ulterior motive he just dead ass wants to marry this woman he is insanely in love with.

….which means I have to write fics and rewatch Lisa Frankenstein if I wanna see a movie where a goth girl bangs a dead guy.

[meimi-haneoka]

(I think Tumblr ate my ask about this last week, so I'm trying this again, sorry!) Are there any songs you associate with the latest Clear Card chapters? I was in a Madoka Magica soundtrack kick when Chapter 74 was released, so I couldn't help but think that the lyrics to Connect and Magia (the anime OP and ED, respectively) give off vibes that seemingly fit this part of Clear Card. Which is weird, because CCS and PMMM are vastly different in tone.

So sorry anon!! No, your ask wasn't eaten by tumblr, I was simply taking too long to reply because these days have been kinda crazy on my end!!

So I'll be replying immediately to this one!!

OOOOHHH Connect and Magia!! Do you know that I used to listen to Magia by Kalafina ever since the earliest chapters of Clear Card? Especially after the anime showed that Kaito was able to rewind time and supposedly had an agenda of his own , I instinctively started to associate this song with Clear Card. Maybe because things were getting darker and the mentions of magic associations and magical clans also added an even more esoteric flavor to the story, but yeah, I've been listening to it for a long time. I also listened to some BGMs from Madoka's anime (I just love Yuki Kajiura and Kalafina!!). And then, the more the story progressed, the more I realized that especially Magia was.....simply perfect in its lyrics.

I mean, I can't really even quote a particular verse from it because all of it seems so fitting for the development, especially for Kaito's situation.

I guess this part in particular

Someday, you will also wish for great power For the sake of someone else, I suppose. In the night when love captured your heart, Yet unknown words are born.

If I can go on without losing my way, I don't mind if my heart is broken to pieces. I want a spell That can let me fight against The sorrow that is always in front of my eyes.

really screams Kaito's predicament to me. Sometimes it's from his POV, sometimes it's somebody talking to him (I can feel Akiho in there), but yeah. We are on the same wavelength, anon!

Aside from Madoka Magica's Magia, I have tons of songs I associate with Clear Card, the more the story goes on. Not only, I also have songs for moments that I imagine will eventually come ahead.

For the current development I have "Mayoizuki" by Onoken feat. Misaki (for Akiho's situation, how she's longing for someone but can't really remember who), "Kogoesouna kisetsu kara" by Aimer (again, Akiho and Kaito's situation), "You are my sister" by Anohni and The Johnsons (Sakura and Akiho ❤️) while for the upcoming events I have "I found the love" by KOKIA (I imagine Akiho and Sakura singing this in a duet ❤️), "Daijina mono wa mabuta no ura" by KOKIA (in case Kaito is in a state of unconsciousness or he isn't himself, this would be like a song to wake him up) and "blame's on me" by Alexander Stewart (Kaito's regret once he understands what he really did 💔). I have many many more, but yeah these are the most played ones in my spotify 😆

[leverage-commentary]

Leverage Season 3, Episode 13, The Morning After Job, Audio Commentary Transcript

Frakes: Welcome to The Morning After Job. Jonathan Frakes, Director.

John: John Rogers, Executive Producer.

Chris: Chris Downey, Executive Producer and Writer.

Frakes: And our star of the week, Mr. Spencer Garrett.

John: Did a great job.

Chris: Aw, how fantastic. Now, now, uh, Johnathan, then tell us where- where’d you first work with Spencer?

Frakes: He was on an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation with the late, great Jean Simmons.

John: With who?

Frakes: C’mon, don’t start with me.

[John and Chris Laughing]

Frakes: And, uh, so I hadn’t worked with him in about 20 years, and then two episodes in a row. I did this show with him and a show called Good Guys with him. And he was just perfect. This burned out hockey player.

Chris: He really is.

John: He’s got a great range. 

Chris: Yeah, he plays-

John: He also played a lot of stuff in this.

Chris: He plays a lot of stuff. He plays rage, obviously. Plays fear, he plays arrogance.

Frakes: He’s a wonderful leading man, too. He’s got a great old ‘40s face.

John: Yup.

Chris: Now is- I guess his mom was an actor? Uh, I believe so.

Frakes: I wish I could pull her name. Yeah, still is. 

Chris: Yeah, I guess-

Frakes: The Duchess, he calls her.

Chris: Yes! [Laughing]

John: That’s like if you’ve ever- everyone who watches the show knows Mark Sheppard. Mark Sheppard fills up a room.

Frakes: Yes.

John: You go to Mark Sheppard’s house to have dinner, and his father’s there and Mark Sheppard is wallpaper.

[Chris Laughing]

Frakes: That’s right. Oh, his father’s the actor of the family.

John: Mark Sheppard’s father is just- fantastic, giant, British presence. Just really great. Um, what was the inspiration for this episode? Which is what I always ask during the credits.

Chris: Um, well, you know, it’s always-

Frakes: Tell the DVD story!

Chris: [Laughing] Oh, well, there is- there is a movie called The Morning After.

[Frakes Laughing]

John: Which is, uh, Jane Fonda.

Chris: Which is Jane Fonda- which, I believe she was either nominated or won an Oscar for. Uh, in which she wakes up next to-

Frakes: You sure that wasn’t Klute?

Chris: She’s a blackout drunk who wakes up next to-

John: Might’ve been Klute.

Chris: Wakes up next to a dead guy.

John: Yes.

Chris: And, uh, I actually tracked it down on VHS. It was not-

John: Wow!

Chris: Not very, not very helpful.

John: What, uh, what Russian- Russian grocery store did you find that in?

Chris: [Laughing] I don’t know. I don’t know where it was. Somewhere out here. Some, uh, you know, video stores that divide things by cinematographer.

[John Laughing]

Chris: Which is a great thing out in LA. Um, and, uh, I- I guess just the idea was- in doing what we call a gaslight episode. 

Chris: These are kinds of throwbacks to Mission Impossibles where we put somebody in a situation.

John: A tightly controlled situation, yeah.

Chris: A very tightly controlled situation where we’re- you know, the team is controlling all the information, trying to find something that is everybody's worst nightmare. And waking up next to the dead girl you picked up in a bar is every dude's worst nightmare. So that was-

John: You’re generalizing a lot there.

Chris: Well it's one of the guys-

Frakes: Just saying.

John: Just saying.

Frakes: Some.

Chris: -worst nightmares.

John: They came quick, that's all.

Chris: Yes.

John: And a little Order 23 actually.

Chris: Yes.

Frakes: Ooh there she is. The Italian is back!

John: The Italian is back.

John: The lovely Elisabetta Canalis proved to be a wonderful young woman, really charming and really found this character. This is great.

Frakes: And luckily for us, found her American accent.

[Laughter]

Chris: Yes.

John: No, the sort of surliness between the two of them was a lot of fun to play. And it was kinda fun because we debated naming her, and her just being The Italian was this kinda throwback to the 60’s spy movies, and it gave her a hook into the character, because her job is to just torment him.

Chris: Yes.

John: She's an outside force. She’s weather, so to speak.

Frakes: She's weather, but she was also very game, she loved this.

John: Oh yeah. Well this- nevermind the finale, we duct taped her to a chair!

Chris: Yeah.

John: And she's like, “No, no, duct tape me! I have no problem.” And we blew her up and we shot bullets at her, she's fantastic.

Chris: And we hadn't seen her in a while this season, so this was a really important scene.

John: It was a good reset cause we'd originally had another episode that might have popped her up and reset the story in the middle but it didn't work out with the story structure.

Frakes: It was smart to pepper her through the season, cause she's sort of a part of the family, and if you don't see her enough, you forget that.

Chris: Yes.

John: And we also were in another situation where we were not sure where the summer break would fall again. 

Chris: Right.

John: We didn’t know which episode was gonna wind up being the one we went out on. And this worked out, this was our new format, sorta putting the desk/table down there.

Frakes: This is actually a good call. The L.

John: Yeah, this- well it gave us the thing we had first year; it allowed us to shoot down that table, everyone’s at business, they're at work.

Frakes: Yeah.

Chris: Yeah leaning forward, engaged. When they were sitting in those couches, they tended to, like, sink and disappear.

[Laughter]

Frakes: Well it also does something to you physically as an actor; you have to sit more erect and your posture has to be-

John: We also shocked them, we put electric current through these seats just to wake them up.

Chris: And John I have to give you credit, I think you're the one that sorta pioneered the flash back and forth briefing scene. We kinda tend to do these-

Frakes: It was here. This was the one.

John: No, there was another episode where we did it on the first, and-

Chris: We did it in the first season, and what we typically do is we kinda unload all the exposition and then we start the con, and-

John: Yeah I actually like this, and whenever we run into - in the writing room - a really chunky first or second act, this is the first tool out of the toolbox.

Chris: Yeah.

John: Like can we crosscut in time, as we plan, as we execute.

Frakes: As we lay the plan and exposition.

Chris: And it makes it so much more energetic and dynamic, and I think this is the way we’re gonna do it a lot in the future.

John: I'm trying to remember the first episode we did that in.

Chris: I think it was Juror #6 Job.

John: Yes! Where, as he explained what he was doing in the chess game-

Chris: As he explained the assignments we zhoomed to the people doing the assignment, and we zhoomed back to the next guy.

John: Yeah. There's nothing- there's no law that you have to obey linear time in television. And also this character is based on- at least his violence is based on Terry O’Reilly who is my favorite Bruin.

Chris: Oh, sure.

John: And one of my favorite things is you can go on YouTube and find fights of Terry O'Reilly on YouTube, and they're just unspeakable [laughs].

Frakes: So that's who she’s referencing in this next beat with Spencer, yeah, “I know you from-”

John: Yeah, exactly.

Chris: And this is great, we shot this at the convention.

Frakes: We discovered this location, we shot the shit out of this location, it's so easy.

John: It's the convention center. It's doubled as the airport a couple times, it looks like an airport!

Chris: Yeah, and our special effects people put a plane in the back.

John: Yeah.

Chris: And John and I love this-

Frakes: Boom! Boom! Boom!

John: Now wait-

Chris: That's a beautiful-

John: Beautiful zhoom, but how was-

Frakes: Well I had to out Dean Devlin, Dean Devlin!

John: How was he in sight line for that, I just realized that?

Frakes: That's how the camera works!

Chris: They saw him, they 're up high!

John: That's a great shot by the way, look at that eye. Just one eye peeking over it's a great shot, it's beautifully done.

Frakes: And there’s from Aloha Air, they're there, they're in the airport.

John: Yeah, it's amazing if you tightly constrain your shot how much business you can put through it.

Frakes: Given the number of extras we’re allowed.

John: Our 20 extras turn into 40. “Now take off the stewardess uniform! Now put on a skirt! Now walk through again!” Yeah.

Frakes: “Change luggage! Another ticket!”

John: And that's- by the way, a great bit there that Beth does, just deciding to poke out while he's making the phone call. 

Chris: Yeah.

John: She's really working on being a Doctor Who companion in this episode, she's really working the cute-

Chris: And there's the great Gerald Downey.

Frakes: Gerald Downey.

Chris: Who is not my brother!

Frakes: Another recurring member of the family.

Chris: But I feel a member of my TV family, certainly.

John: Yes, it broke our scheduling that we were not able to get both FBI agents. But we did establish that he was off doing- that he was doing very well.

Chris: Yes, doing well.

John: And it really started from throwaway joke in the first season-

Frakes: Oh he had the pentagon job, the pentagon translating job?

John: Yeah he was doing-

Chris: Doing krav maga in Quantico.

[Laughter]

Chris: Which is an Israeli martial art.

John: We did- first season we wanted to start establishing the bigger world in the Leverage universe, and those guys happened to be the first two. And we just loved the actors so much that we started feeling bad for the characters. 

Chris: Yeah.

John: So we made the plot point that they start doing better every time we interact with them.

Chris: I think we kind of talked about in the arc of the overall series, every time the Leverage team brings them in and sort of hands these bumbling FBI agents a collar, that they move up the ranks until the final episode you see them being sworn in as director of the FBI.

Frakes: What about your buddy Michael Mahon, you gonna give him some love?

Chris: Oh let me give some love to Michael Mahon. I cast him on King of Queens - twice - as sort of an oily lawyer businessman.

Frakes: Oddly enough, something we use around here!

[Laughter]

John: That is in the Leverage wheelhouse.

Chris: And I knew in conceiving this character of the fixer lawyer that he would be perfect, and he was.

John: This, by the way, was so old school and one of the fun things about doing this show is we are taking absolutely Mission Impossible old school, and take parts of the conversation and cut them together. 

Chris: Yes.

John: Which you can do fairly seamlessly with electronic technology now-

Chris: Yeah we're not taking any liberties with technology like that.

John: No. Yeah, it's just fun, it really is, there is no difference between this and some dude cutting up reel to reel in Mission Impossible.

Frakes: What has she got? Bam! Recorded the whole thing.

John: Yeah. Exactly. No problem, great little mini gloat there. This was the cut, what are we gonna do, how are we gonna do it, and we bounced.

Frakes: And you do it.

John: Yeah.

Frakes: Did get us through this exposition of Act 1.

Chris: And there you go, and we're gonna set up-

John: And there's our-

Frakes: Our UPM.

Chris: Our UPM.

John: UPM, James Scura. 

Chris: Who is known as the-

Frakes: The Frenchman!

Chris: Yeah, I think the Frenchman.

John: He's the Frenchman.

Frakes: He's the assassin.

Chris: Long-haired bearded guy.

John: Now he is the assassin this episode, he is married to Kari Whurer-

Chris: Yes.

John: Who is the assassin in the other-

Chris: The Reunion Job.

John: The Reunion Job! so in our heads they're like a very bad Mr. and Mrs. Smith. 

[Laughter]

John: In the Leverage-verse they're the kind of B-level assassins that always try to get each other jobs. The Leverage-verse is a cruel place.

Frakes: Never too soon to do the 360!

John: Never too soon.

Chris: And this is a great 360.

John: I'd like to- oh and if you're playing the Leverage RPG, I'd like to use both those characters, I'd like to say. She's great as the groupie in this and it's fun, another thing that she could not have done in the first season, but we've established: Parker can do the short con. She's gotten those skills. She can't do the long con. You know, but Aldis in theory can do the long con, but he always goes over the top- pardon me: Hardison always goes over the top. And Eliot’s the next best.

Frakes: She knows a bar!

Chris: Knows a bar right near her place. And here we land on: boom!

John: Yeah right there, nice timing on that turn and we popped to him. When a girl like that says she knows a bar? You go to the bar.

Frakes: Go to the bar, yeah.

John: You go to that bar, yeah. Nice shot through the- oh wow that is a pretty shot.

Chris: And some nice closing time music from Joe LoDuca, our composer.

John: Yeah, really nice. Then and- good drunk by Spencer Garrett.

Frakes: I gotta say he pulled it out, he really did.

Chris: He did.

John: Again, we talk on another episode-

Frakes: You're afraid of going full tar. But you can't go- gotta go full drunk.

John: Never be afraid of going full drunk. You know what a good thing to do if you're playing drunk, by the way? Is, as an actor, close your eyes and spin for 30 seconds, and then start the scene.

Frakes: Oh good technique.

John: That is- that really helps, good for your physicality.

Frakes: So you're one of those guys who pulls their nose hairs when they wanna cry, too?

John: No, if I were playing drunk I would just get drunk. I'm playing drunk now and I'm drunk. Oh this was a lot of fun, we've been wanting some stereography for ages.

Frakes: Now where does this come from? It's a color combo thing?

Chris: Well our research showed a lot of terrorist groups use- actually use photographs to send coded messages. When you decode the photograph it breaks down into language.

Frakes: When you break down the pixels?

John: Yes, when you break down the pixels, they break down to the binary code, the binary codes are different enough, as soon as there's a difference, it’s encryption.

Frakes: Oh look at Beth here!

John: She's great, digging in on this.

Chris: She's awesome here.

John: And I like them-

Frakes: Setting the con, rebuilding Nate's apartment.

John: Yeah exactly. First time we’re in Nate's bedroom. I don't know why there's a praying mantis in there. 

[Laughter]

John: It's really disturbing, I'm not gonna lie to you.

Frakes: I gotta say, there's not just one praying mantis as you recall. There's a callback.

John: Yeah, and take the picture, always take the picture. And yeah, you can see the pictures in- the books in theory that are on his shelf.

Frakes: Never been done before.

Chris: No, dosing the glass? First time.

John: Just the little roll, that was a nice shot.

Chris: Time tested.

John: And then play to the camera: I'm done, I'm done, and now we go. I like Gina in these black outfits.

Chris: Yeah.

John: I just noticed that we started putting her more in these black outfits this year and it was nice. Well it's black and black because now we have Nate in thief gear, it’s very iconic.

Chris: Yeah, and if I could be a little pretentious for a moment, and I'll indulge myself.

John: Please, go ahead.

Frakes: You gonna talk about the mise en scène? 

Chris: I'm gonna talk about the color scheme. 

John: Oh alright.

Chris: We talked about colors being important here and we kinda used red as the color of rage, which is our character’s- our bad guy's fatal flaw, so you'll see red play a lot in his scenes, and some of the other scenes.

John: That's actually- we talk about how different writers approach stuff, a lot of times Chris is the guy in the room who will ask like, “OK, what's this bad guys problem? What's his fatal flaw? What's his emotion? What's the hook?” Everyone writes from different places.

Chris: This guy has a temper, and that's his weakness.

John: And sometimes it just-

Frakes: I didn't think that was too pretentious.

Chris: Thank you!

John: No, and it wasn't too pretentious at all. Great makeup! Great makeup by the makeup department here, fantastic. The little bit of blue there, the marks on the neck. That's an act out.

Chris: That's an act out!

Frakes: You wanna come back and see what happened to Beth.

John: I would like to know, I would like to know. A little disturbing, I have to admit. I'm fond of Beth, so that's a little disturbing.

Chris: And Spencer's fantastic here, he is really just going through all of what you would do.

John: And we do our flashback here rather than later, no it's a nice bit of work. This was a complicated little episode.

Frakes: Different pieces.

John: Unlike most episodes where there's only one timeshift, there's three. There's the shift forward in the set up, there's the shift back in this exposition, and at the end there's the standard flashbacks.

Chris: Well you had to flashback here because you wanted the audience- you didn't want the audience thinking she's actually dead for very long. And you knew that they were gonna key into that.

John: Also making sure like, well why wouldn't he check her pulse? Well-

Chris: He did!

John: We’re making sure he can't.

Frakes: He did that's why she put the piece of leather on her wrist.

Chris: And now who do you call? And this is the question guys ask each other. Who are you gonna call in this situation?

John: Your lawyer! Gotta call your lawyer.

Frakes: You got your guy, right I've got a guy. Gotta set that call.

John: I will also say, to a great degree, this is why you wrote the episode. 

[Laughter]

Frakes: For these two doing this?

John: You wrote the episode so the boys could be cops.

Chris: The B story in this was an homage to Cops.

Frakes: Bad boys, bad boys.

Chris: Bad boys, bad boys, playing in our heads.

John: Don't sing it! If you sing it we have to pay.

Frakes: Boy did they want to sing it in this scene, though.

Chris: Oh they wanted to.

John: I know, Jesus. People don't know - that's fifty grand, boom.

Chris: And that's a beautiful shot right there. 

John: The mirror shot? Really nice.

Chris: As we find her in the bed, and then find him looking at himself in the mirror. Oh that’s great.

John: Now I’d do a cop show with the two of them, just two surly Boston cops? Could do 13 episodes. We should do that show when we’re in the off season.

Frakes: And no time in the hair department!

John: Cause he's in the cap.

Frakes: Hats go on.

John: Hats go on. There you go. Yeah, we could do that in the hiatus show, we just do the cop show.

Chris: Yeah, and this scene here- we had, I guess, a strep throat outbreak during this episode. 

John: Yes that’s right!

Chris: And there were a couple of things we didn't get to, and I believe this was shot a couple episodes later, really late at night, like three in the morning, and they did a great job.

John: Yeah, no, and just-

Chris: And I love them putting the hats on!

John: The hats, both turning.

Chris: And we’re off.

John: And it’s interesting, because they still always play the hostility cause they annoy each other.

Frakes: They can barely stand to be in the same room, but they're fantastic together.

John: But the physical mirror is one of those giveaways. There's a great bit in The Underground Job where he comes in for the high five and Eliot's annoyed and he goes, “For morale!” Which is a call back to when they were in the woods, and Chris actually has Eliot break into a smile, you know? They’re not- oh that's great. “Next time you can get a firetruck!”

Chris: I think I wrote that on set, I think that was a replacement.

Frakes: I think you did write that on set.

John: You know what, that's like in Inside where he's like, “That's fantastic, you’re great, can we get out of here?”

Chris: Yeah, yeah, I think that was exactly it.

John: The mocking tone is flawless. And strategizing, these are two people at the top of their game trying to figure out exactly how to handle something.

Chris: It was nice to put the two of them together, you know, kind of reminiscing. It was a nice little kind of romantic beat, here.

John: Yeah, they do have a shared history, that's what originally drew them together, you know.

Chris: Yeah.

Frakes: That's sorta what's hanging over both these characters heads, is their shared history?

John: Yeah, and then in the end of the season it collides.

Chris: But here she's sending him off.

John: Yeah, and she'll always be better at the con. She's always giving him little confidence moments, little confidence beats and Gina does a lot of that with physicality that's not in the script. Great encountering bureaucracy moment here.

Frakes: And this is a funny scene, actually.

Chris: And they did a great job of just underplaying the debate between the two of them.

John: Yeah.

Chris: Just throwing it away.

John: Just the-

Chris: The harried prosecutor.

John: Eliot, once again, not happy with the lack of prep Hardison has done, Hardison, once again, overestimating his ability to pull off the con on the fly.

Chris: This is just them, you know-

John: Bickering!

Chris: Improving bullshit. 

Frakes: This is Blake, whose wedding Tim had just been at.

John: Oh that's right!

Frakes: She was fabulous as a lawyer.

Chris: She was great.

John: And they're out. See we've done, we've- oh and now.

Frakes: Oh no, not the convict.

John: If you’re a young writer remember, the much better solution to we screwed up is we succeeded too well.

Chris: We succeeded too well, we convinced them so well that we now have to take a prisoner back with us.

John: There's really no way to go wrong with we succeeded too well.

Frakes: Also, we see the scene doesn't seem too long cause it has the second beat.

John: Yeah that's right, you'd be out by now, you'd be in the car.

Frakes: “Idiot, now we gotta take this guy to the car with us!”

John: And he winds up being a clue path, by the way. Because he's at the same grand jury. 

Chris: Yes.

John: It’s actually- this all hangs together pretty beautifully, I gotta say.

Chris: And now here we go, you've found the dead girl in the bed, your substitute lawyer is here.

John: And your lawyer with the gloves, as one has!

Chris: When you’re the fixer lawyer, you have them.

John: You have gloves!

Chris: Yes. And by the way, there’s no-

Frakes: He's been in messy situations before.

John: He's got a wood chipper.

Chris: By the way, I went to law school; there's no class in fixer law.

John: Really?

Chris: I wish there was.

John: Yeah, you would have gone into that instead of the white collar defense law that you were into?

Chris: I would have gone into that. I would have gone into fixer law, that's much more interesting. 

John: Isn't that close, though?

Chris: Oh well, not with rubber gloves.

[Laughter]

John: Oh, worst client you ever had? Worst client. I don't think you've said it on the DVD.

Chris: Oh, well, I think it was the guy that looted the trust funds of Holocaust survivors.

John: Wow!

Frakes: Ohhh.

Chris: And he was actually a lawyer, too.

John: Yeah, wow.

Frakes: Here we go, here's the beginning of our cop sequence.

Chris: Oh I love this, this is my wife's favorite scene in the whole episode. 

[Laughter]

Chris: She goes, “That guy in the cage, where did you get that guy?”

Frakes: Well I got him going, too! I said, “You can't do enough, try to get into this scene with these guys.” Remember when we were shooting this? I said, “Do anything you can to get into this scene, because they will not let you,” and he said, “Are you sure?” I said, “I promise you.”

Chris: ‘Just try, do everything you can.’

John: You never have to worry on a Frakes episode with him getting somebody to underplay something, that's not- why are there so many praying mantises?! Alright the Irish whiskey just kicked in, I need a little bit more. I love the realization, the head snap that she does here. I adore- “Oh, what the hell?”

[Laughter]

John: Zero to Parker. In .5 seconds with Nate calling audibles.

Frakes: Yeah, and of course we've all got one of these.

Chris: Of course, it's Leverage! You don't have one of these?

John: And of course she does, yeah. Why wouldn’t she?

Frakes: I could use it. This one fits!

John: We never explain that.

Chris: And by the way, it’ll set up a locked off comedy frame, like we talked about in the previous episode.

John: Yes, exactly. Can't go wrong with that. And now they got the call.

Frakes: I had a field day with these guys.

John: Oh yeah.

Chris: What was nice was that Eliot gave Hardison shit for over investing them, and now we can switch it, now all of a sudden Eliot’s the one over invested.

Frakes: Yeah.

John: Eliot has his own soft spots that he’s-

Frakes: Kids! You don't put kids in jeopardy around him.

Chris: You don’t put kids in jeopardy.

John: And that's one of the tricks on the show is making sure- because there's a great saying that every private eye book is a private I - and I'm pointing at myself - book. So it’s very easy to write these characters to be very cool, but without flaws. And so it's very important to constantly remind- each one has their own specific set of flaws that run, that throw a spanner into the works.

Chris: Oh how fun was this?

Frakes: Really fun.

John: Oh guys, how much time did you spend on the cops pastiche, guys? How much money did you spend on this? Two characters?

Frakes: Boom!

Chris: Shot pretty quickly, too, because it’s all handheld.

Frakes: Two characters, two handhelds.

John: These characters are in the plot, how? They're related to the main storyline, how?

Frakes: Derek Sitter!

John: You're not answering any of these questions, are you?

Chris: Derek Sitter and Erin McGarry.

Frakes: They're in the plot because we stopped to save them!

John: Alright, alright, it's a gimme, I'll give it to you.

Chris: And they went for it, too.

John: The dude with the bat.

Chris: Derek especially got thrown into the deep end.

Frakes: His feet got ripped up, his hands. There was real blood by the end of this scene.

Chris: That was real blood, and he was like in character.

John: Yeah. “Sit your ass on the bumper.” That's great; just he puts on the dad voice right there. Just, “I have had enough of this shit.”

[Laughter]

Chris: And there's always the moment in the episode of Cops where it all seems to be calmed down, but there's some moment of disrespect, and the guy jumps back in.

Frakes: “Don’t you talk about my woman!”

John: Oh and down!

Frakes: That's where the blood came!

John: Big takedown by Aldis Hodge, there you go. I love also, by the way, this is plainly in the bartender's view, he's just used to this. He works-

Chris: Locked off comedy frame folks!

[Laughter]

John: There she goes! And by the way, how lucky are we to have an actress like Beth Riesgraf who will get her as in that harness and do that for us? That's not a stunt girl.

Frakes: Here's a cue!

Chris: How great is he?

John: Look at his face light up, there you go, and the hand shake- the awkward handshake. Yeah, that bartender works there, that bartender knows what's going on.

Chris: He knows the deal.

John: Yeah well cause Cora told him

Frakes: He knows who lives upstairs.

John: Exactly, they saved the bar. That's also tied into my theory of the bar where Fitzy, the old guy at the end of the bar, was a contract killer for the Irish mob back in the 50s, and now he kinda just keeps everything calm here. 

[Laughter]

John: He seems innocuous, but you watch, he's got dead eyes. 

Chris: Oh, but I'm so glad we were able to keep this storyline alive.

Frakes: With Downey?

Chris: Of his flirtation with her, and he’s just so sweet.

John: This is one of the frustrating things about making television, real human beings are attached to roles. And so availabilities! You know, budgets, schedules. You know, we wanted to bring Tara back this year and Jeri got another show and couldn't come back. You know, it always makes you happy when you can kinda bend reality to fit the show.

Frakes: See that look on Downey's face? That's something everyone feels when they finish playing a scene with Beth.

John: They always have.

Frakes: It is.

John: She's a blithe spirit.

Chris: And this is great, this is a great shot right here in the window. This is done- this is a great special effects shot, look at that.

John: Yeah we put the glare in, right.

Chris: Yeah.

John: And also the reflection, that reflection is CG, too, if I’m correct.

Chris: Now the bat he's carrying was once a dog.

John: Yes, originally it was a dog.

Frakes: Budget eliminated the dog and the trainer and the amount of hours we could use them.

John: Turns out dogs are ridiculously expensive.

Chris: It’s crazy, I think dogs- I learned that dogs are more expensive than trains.

John: Yes.

Chris: Trains, apparently dirt cheap in Portland. Dogs? Ridiculously expensive.

John: Nice push in on that to help set up in a static shot that things are changing, that's a nice choice.

Chris: Oh I love this, this is great. And this is the two of them going mano y mano.

Frakes: This is a great scene, this is a Godfather scene, or a Goodfellas scene.

John: Yes, yeah. This is- Tim really enjoys these too.

Frakes: He also loves when a good actor shows up. He loves to go toe to toe with a good one.

John: This was like in Double Blind when O’Keefe-

Chris: Michael O’Keefe?

John: Michael O’Keefe came in.

Frakes: And the three hander you had at the end of the season.

John: Yeah, you can’t get him out of these scenes, cause actors- and they tend to shoot these- they want to go long, they wind up doing the whole scene a couple times, as long as you set up to get the coverage. We’re very lucky.

Chris: It's a great objective, I mean he's gotta convince a guy that he killed somebody that he doesn't remember.

John: Yeah, I mean prosecutors in the south do this all the time.

[Laughter]

John: Well- the letters, the emails, go to the website!

Chris: Oh. “Close your eyes.”

John: What's that? Oh, “Close your eyes.”

Chris: I love “Close your eyes.”

John: What I love is he's trying to get him to remember and what he's doing is hypnotizing him. He's basically planting these memories into place.

Chris: He’s planting memories.

Frakes: He’s closing the blinds.

Chris: Yes, and I have to give Tim credit because he said, “I wish there was a little something more in this scene where I'm doing something to put it in his head.” And I added it later and it really worked well.

John: The choking?

Chris: I added the just closing your eyes and putting yourself back in the scene. Because we talk about the unreliability of memory all the time.

John: All the time, yeah. A lot of times when we’re talking about credit and who did what, and who should get the credit for stuff they show. 

[Laughter]

Chris: Unreliability.

John: Memory is unreliable, it’s really- that's why it's safer to default to us. Spencer's great, great way to play this in the closeup.

Frakes: Also a man comfortable with a glass in his hands.

Chris: Here we go, look at this shot! How did we- how many blocks was that?

Frakes: That was four- three blocks.

John: Three blocks on a zhoom.

Chris: That’s great.

Frakes: Three piece, three piece ninja.

John: Three piece ninja.

Frakes: Look at this guy, lost his shoe.

Chris: Hit him with the bat, and wait for the locked off frame- there!

[Laughter]

John: Oh nothing funnier than being taken out of a locked off frame.

Frakes: That's twice in this episode.

John: This was- I remember actually this- when you were writing this, you were in the- you were in the office, the writers room is right next to the office Chris and I share, because we’re a cable show, and we were breaking something else and you came in and you did not have the linkage.

Chris: I needed the linkage.

John: And we wanted- this was one of the ones where we needed to tie it in. And this is why you have a writers room, cause you never know when someone's gonna come up with- oh you know, this is how to do it. It's good to have ten brains. And again you can do a show with these two as FBI agents. We’re just oh so lucky.

Frakes: Blessed.

John: Yup.

Frakes: This is a long shot.

Chris: That is a long shot, right into the back room.

Frakes: From the exterior door, through the bathroom area, and back room.

John: I think we said it- I had fought building this set. I did not want to build this set; I thought we would never be back there. And the number of great long shots we've had moving back and forth between those sets? It's well worth it, worth it.

Chris: Well Jonathan, it was in the bar episode.

John: Yeah, it was in Bottle Job, we built it.

Chris: That was in your job.

John: Yeah, it was in Bottle Job.

Frakes: Alan Smith in the house.

John: Alan Smith is in the back, lurking, drinking. Drinking, Lurking. All those verbs. And- but it was just gonna be a standalone set and then wound up- and then this is also where your experience as a lawyer is handy because I never would have come up in a million years - you need the deposition, he needs to see his handwriting.

Chris: You need his agreement that he made with the government in order to convince the guy that you can make a deal and get him out of this.

John: Yeah, he needs to see the deal, he wouldn't believe any lawyer who didn't have the deal would be the person he could talk to.

Frakes: Red tie, symbolic red tie.

Chris: Symbolic red tie.

John: This was fun eventually-

Chris: Oh and this is-

John: Yeah she plays a great hardass prosecutor.

Chris: Another of my favorite scenes. And this is good cop, bad cop.

Frakes: When she puts on the glasses, whenever she puts on the glasses.

John: It works!

Frakes: You know she's good to go.

John: Those are great glasses, too. The sort of bored, the sort of just move it along here.

Frakes: [Unintelligible] and wiser girl for me.

Chris: And I love the way it was blocked, too, because you had Tim sitting, and you had the great shot to the blinds, and I mean you really had that kind of like Verdict/Godfather kind of feel.

Frakes: It did feel Godfather.

John: When you have three, by the way, you have to change one person's level, that's how you do a three hander. There's actually a great shot in Laura, which is where the actors are stacked up on different vertical levels, and that's how they handle a four hander, and they have people move in and out of those levels.

Frakes: Wow.

John: Yeah.

[Laughter]

John: I do occasionally know what I'm talking about.

Frakes: You referenced Laura?

John: You know, the noir thing, we’re very heavy into noir this year.

Chris: Here we go!

John: And then they fight! And that's what I love is-

Frakes: He just- this is the beat where Tim goes behind, which is wonderful.

John: But whenever you can make the mark- and Apollo told us this, whenever you can make the mark feel like he's the audience rather than the guy being worked-

Chris: Yes, absolutely.

John: They want to be involved in it, they don't want to feel like you're left out of it.

Chris: You don't feel like you're being conned by two people that are fighting each other and one of them is on your side.

John: Exactly. If they’re working you, you're being conned. If you’re seeing it, they let you do your own work. No, it's really spectacular, yup. And then-

[Laughter]

John: Just the little note to ‘hey this actually ties into the entire plot for the season’.

Chris: Yes. And worked out nicely in the end.

John: Yes! Yeah, absolutely.

Chris: And she looks great in that power suit, boy.

John: I will say that we didn't have the absolute ending con written yet, that was the great thing with you coming in like, “What do we need to have in that office?” and I'm like, “I don't know yet! we haven't written the finale!” we wound up cobbling the entire finale together, the plot of it-

Chris: Oh I mean it was all planned from the beginning, right John?

[Laughter]

John: Oh c'mon we don’t lie to them. They’re well past that by now.

Frakes: Oh wait, how do you tell these guys are cops?

John: Shoes.

Chris: They got cop shoes!

John: This is actually based on a thing that used to happen to me in New York. When I used to go to Times Square I'd get mistaken for a detective, cause I wore cop shoes.

Frakes: You still do.

John: I don't still-

Chris: And paramedic shirts!

John: Not paramedic shirts then. But when I lived in New York-

Chris: Were you ever mistaken for a paramedic for your shirt?

John: No. 

[Laughter]

John: Oh you know, people gave me a television show and everything, you've had pilots, you know what the process is like. Your own show, top lining, Jonathan, you know. 

Frakes: Ohhh.

John: Anyway, yes it's cop shoes are a dead giveaway.

Chris: There we go, here's our action act, now this is where all hell’s gonna break loose.

Frakes: Dave Connel again, props.

John: Yeah, that’s a beautiful light. That looks like the verdict, too, right there, very nice. Yeah, we grabbed this on the fly was her trying to maneuver him. And a lot of that is playing the catcher, she's kinda just put people in play in different locations.

Chris: Yeah, and that was also tricky here was, since everyone was more or less in the same location, it's just keeping track of who was where.

Frakes: Who could see what, and who would hear what.

John: I don't think this foyer actually existed originally, we kinda cobbled it together like, “Oh, remember the other times you've seen us walk through here? This is here. You just haven't noticed it before.”

Frakes: “It's a little bigger than it used to be.”

John: Yeah, exactly.

Frakes: Big enough to shoot in now.

John: Yeah, exactly. Now that's a beautiful shot, that's a movie shot right there. And then look! “I trust you, that person is the antagonist and you're my friend.”

Chris: And here we go!

John: And he's not good. Let's face it, he’s not a good assassin.

Frakes: Oh that slow mo.

Chris: Oh that was good.

Frakes: Remember this night, Chris?

Chris: Oh god, how many times did we do the windows?

Frakes: We had to walk away.

Chris: Yeah, we had to leave.

Frakes: Went over to the bar and shot a scene and came back.

John: Nice slide slam by the stuntie, by the way.

Chris: Oh she did great.

John: Nice work. And then Gina dodging squibs all over the place.

Chris: Yeah, this is fantastic.

Frakes: This is actually a good sequence.

John: This is a great sequence! This is act four- by the way, you can do this, this is not magic; hacking this is eminently doable.

Chris: Yeah, clone the phone to track them.

Frakes: That's the bump!

John: Yup.

Frakes: I have a bump.

John: You have a what? John, please, no.

[Laughter]

John: The- oh he's shooting the candles, now he's just angry, now he's not getting the job done now he's just- yeah.

Chris: Well we are gonna explain that it's not his chosen profession, he got the job from his wife.

John: That's right.

Chris: Who sent it over to him.

Frakes: Now’s the moment I've been waiting to ask, I have both of you in the room. I was on the set with Chris Downey, who I've done two shows with now, who I've learned to trust.

John: Yup.

Frakes: I’ve been in many rooms with you, we've had many conversations. I said to Downey “Whose idea was this with the wire and the water running down the wire?”

John: The water dripping down the wire? That’s mine.

Frakes: Did you get that?

Chris: I said that!

John: I'm sure Downey said that. He knows, because he had read the script that I had originally wrote it in for a movie that will never get made and he was like “I love this bit!”

Chris: I love that - it’s an awesome bit!

John: And we wound up just turning the lights off cause the flicker was too tough to do.

Frakes: Believe me, what we went through to get the water down the wire.

John: I know, and then, but this is one of those things where you're like, “Oh, we'll be able to do it in post.” And it turns out no, you can't do it in post. But- 

Frakes: We got bad information.

Chris: It was supposed to be a strobe fight.

John: Yeah, it was supposed to be a strobe fight. But you know what? This is just as great. 

Chris: This is great.

John: This is great. He's Batman.

Chris: Aaaaand-

John: And the locked POV, and- boom!

Chris: There we go.

John: And down. Yeah, and then the spinning flashlight.

Frakes: Dean Devlin did this?

John: No, Marc Roskin did this, and shot the hell out of it, really nice.

Frakes: Do you remember us in here with these wires and the water bottle in the ceiling?

Chris: Yeah, I know.

[Laughter]

John: Yeah, that’s- by the way, why I wrote it in a movie. Cause it’s a sequence that you need, like, movie time to do. You can’t do that on a TV show - that's fucking crazy! I don’t know why the hell you thought you could do it in that episode.

Frakes: I said to Chris, “Whose idea is this?” He said, “It’s Rogers! It’s Rogers! It’s Rogers’ idea! It’s great, it’s gonna work!”

Chris: I did. I loved it.

John: I did, I was wrong, I was drunk. Don’t trust me, that only ends in tears.

Chris: I thought it was great.

John: Oh, that's so sweet. You actually had a kiss, originally.

Chris: I originally had a kiss, but you said that was too much.

John: You know, I just don’t think she’s physically intimate enough for that. But if she’s gonna kiss anybody, it's him.

Frakes: Bam!

Chris: Oh here we go- boom, great stunt.

Frakes: Rockford.

Chris: Gut punch.

John: There you go, not afraid to use the bat.

Frakes: Worked better than that dog would have worked.

[Laughter]

John: That would've been like- where's Hardison?

Chris: The dog was supposed to jump out and attack him.

John: Now he’s really pissed, he’s blowing up the offices.

John: He's just having a bad day!

Chris: He's really going crazy on Pottery Barn.

Frakes: Everything that explodes.

John: “Maybe shrapnel from a vase will get in your eye and you'll die!” It's just- he's shooting blind now.

[Laughter]

Frakes: “You don't think I brought enough bullets! I’m French!”

John: “I’m French!” Maybe he's got-

Chris: Why do we think he's French?

John: I don't know! I don't remember. Oh, lovely overhead shot. Oh, and the French hate to get wet, there you go.

Chris: They don't like to get wet when they're shooting.

[Laughter]

Frakes: “That's it, I'm done, I'm wet.”

Chris: We had-

Frakes: “You turned the water on, I'm leaving. It’s bad for my gun.”

Chris: We had a little bit here that also helped the finale, cause we had Eliot come in and- I thought he did- he played this really nicely, saying this is the way Moreau does things. 

John: Yeah.

Chris: Which I think, people are paying attention, kind of helps foreshadow the end.

John: Here is the thing. We did know that Eliot would know Moreau from the beginning of the season. And so there is a lot of stuff during this season that you can go back and watch now that you'll see it indirectly.

Frakes: You can attach it to him.

Chris: That was a little clue right there.

John: And then him panicking, as one does.

Frakes: That’s it, I don't trust any of you, I'll take my chances.

John: And it was interesting, at one point somebody asked, “Why is he running?” Somebody just shot you up, man! You're gonna run, absolutely.

Chris: He's gonna he's not gonna give up Moreau; he’ll take his chances in jail.

John: And that was one of those great times, too, “How the hell do we get him out of there? Wait, is there an elevator in that hallway?”

Frakes: Yes!

John: Yeah, and we never shoot it, we never use it, but it's been in that set since day one. Or day one of this set, which is season 2.

Chris: Now we gotta figure out where we’re all gonna go.

John: They gotta call an audible, ok.

Frakes: Glasses off, now she’s gonna get this. 

Chris: Now she's all business.

John: Glasses on is a role, the glasses off is Sophie using her giant brain.

[Laughter]

John: I don't remember what the- yeah there you go, and that was great cause we get to do the whole everyones coming up with a plan and they're in different places.

Chris: And he's gonna drive. Cause now that they're back to being bickering brothers again.

Frakes: Bickering brothers, exactly.

John: Now the danger’s passed, they can go back. I remember we wrote Eliot particularly brutal in that fight too, it's just- this is what he does when other people aren’t around.

Chris: Right. 

John: He moderates his violence when there's other people around, but when they're not, he's as ruthlessly efficient as one can be.

Chris: Mike Mahon, again, as the fixer lawyer.

John: “Where the hell were you?” And here's the-

Frakes: This is a good scene, I like the cutaways in this scene, what he sees and how he's been conned.

John: How he's perceiving it.

Frakes: Yeah.

John: There was an interesting new story today where a guy got conned out of between 6 and 20 million dollars by computer consultants. He brought his laptop in and- allegedly, the people examining the laptop told him he was the victim of a giant conspiracy and they got him to pay. He had a lot of money, he had inherited a lot of money, and got him to pay a ridiculous amount of money for 24/7 computer security. And they did it by controlling information and convincing him that he was the subject of a conspiracy.

Chris: Oh, so kind of a gaslight.

John: They gaslit him! They did the thing we do.

Chris: Teah.

John: And, well, they're real con people they're turned out- but anyway, what's interesting is how- when we do our research, how far you can drive someone in a tight situation with little information, you know, you really- all you have is what you see.

Chris: Yeah, and now he plays this- I mean, again, we talked about how many shades that Spencer has to play in this episode, and here it's just panic and rage all in one.

John: All at the same time.

Chris: And we did it a bunch of times and he brought it every single time.

Frakes: Oh he did bring it.

John: And great shit eating grin by Beth there, that's a nice- this is a big part of what Dean calls the gloat, is the part of the episode where you have to make the bad guys suffer. We must gloat and the bad guy must suffer.

Frakes: Schadenfreude. [pronounced shoo-den-freud]

John: Is that the word for it? Schadenfreude [pronounced correctly]. I like [shoo-den-freud] cause he's about to start shooting people.

Chris: Here's our guys.

John: And of course they would be, of course you wouldn't question two cops who were arresting him.

Chris: No, the guys going batshit in court, two cops in the hall are gonna go grab him.

Frakes: Good thing they were there.

Chris: And then, “Moreau wants to talk to you.” Now he's really gonna lose it.

John: And then go for the gun.

Frakes: I never use a gun, slow mo.

John: Nice lock. And the taser, which we pay off in the season finale.

Chris: Oh she loves the taser.

John: She loves the taser. She's beginning to realize she loves the taser a bit too much.

Chris: She is a little self aware.

Frakes: Right here she realizes it.

John: And the neck crack. 

Chris: And there’s a smile!

John: I love the neck crack, she just enjoys tasering people, that's just a good day for her.

Chris: And remind people that Eliot doesn't like guns.

John: Exactly. Although we did not know at this point whether we were gonna do the gunfight. We talked about saving the gunfight for season 5 and we wound up using it here, because we had never had a villain that was so tightly tied to him before, so it made sense.

Frakes: This is funny, this is a oner.

Chris: This is a great shot, what a great shot.

John: And a great how to tell a story in one shot. Conservation of energy and momentum.

Frakes: Few producers will let you do it; Dean did.

Chris: Now where did she- did she stop and buy the bow? I know people have asked me that, but she comes prepared with a green bow wherever she goes.

[Laughter]

John: I think she has gift wrapping in her car.

Chris: She has gift wrapping in her car!

John: Cause she likes to give people little gifts. Sometimes it's their own wallet.

Chris: Oh, and that's great.

John: And this is- this became kinda an iconic shot in the show just the three [unintelligible] just, you know, her enjoying it too much. This was a big fan favorite.

Chris: And now-

Frakes: Here it comes.

John: And now the showdown. The place is trashed, and this really-

Chris: Oh and I gotta give credit to our- Becca Molino, who just dressed this office, and I love- you'll see it in the backshot, but the kind of Warhol-like shot, that lithograph she did of-

John: Oh, of him, yeah.

Chris: Of him, it was great.

John: Him at the height of his fame as a hockey player, yeah, really nice. And this is a great- this is a great screw you scene. Now what's interesting is there's a reason her back is to you later in the scene. We shot- we wrote two pieces of dialogue, one where she lays in that they're going off on their own, and one where we laid in that she was working for Moreau.

Chris: Yeah.

John: Because we had not broken the season finale at this point, and we were kinda in the writers room-

Frakes: Luckily we shot her facing away!

Chris: Yes we did. Lucky we made that call.

John: But to be fair, this is a thing- you know, in a writers room there are multiple humans and you don't always- you know, it's nice when creators say, “I knew what was going on from moment one.” On 99.9% of shows, that's bullshit. And we were in a dead tie in the room at this point, like is she working for Moreau or isn't she? And so we pushed. We pushed the bet to the finale which was two weeks later, we were breaking it then.

Chris: Well ultimately it just didn't get us anything. I mean her being in cahoots with him kind of meant that it split the focus on the bad guys, and what was she doing that was different from this big bad guy?

John: Exactly, we got down into plotting the first half of the season finale-

Chris: It sounded great as the ending of this! Oh my god!

John: This was the summer season finale, this was fantastic.

Chris: And here was great this was another- Derek Frederickson, our-

John: The fifth Beatle.

Chris: The fifth Beatle does a great job here.

John: And again, absolutely true. Great way to transmit information if you're trying to overthrow the government, or plan some sort of insurrection, do that. Don't mention you heard it here though, don't tell the FBI that. Tell them you picked up on Boing Boing or Cory Doctorow, something like that, an already known subversive human.

Chris: And now he says sayonara to-

John: Yeah, this is, again, one of those places where Nate- the Nate of first season wouldn't have made this speech. Nate’s been to prison, Nate’s a hardass, Nate’s a thief, Nate plays by his rules now, and is cut loose in thief world. And now she makes the phone call.

Chris: Boy, good call that her back was turned, huh?

John: Well it gave you a nice silhouette.

Frakes: It’s a better shot.

Chris: Jonathan, you must've known that we were gonna go back and change it, right?

Frakes: Unfortunately you added this last scene.

John: What do you mean unfortunately?

Chris: Well, we were a little short.

[Laughter]

John: Things happen.

Chris: It was so fast paced. But I think it worked.

John: Yeah, what was this scene? Cause the sounds off when we watch these.

Chris: Oh this is the- you know we don't have to go after Moreau. This is just kinda reiterating to the audience that this is a war of choice, not of necessity. That now that The Italian is out of the way-

Frakes: Yeah, you've chosen to be in it and we haven’t.

Chris: Yes, yes.

John: Which is why later on we have him then saying, “I'm asking you,” instead of him bullying them into it.

Chris: Yes, exactly.

John: And this a part of the fact that Nate’s hubris is- when Nate’s in the game, he loses track of the goal line, he just needs to win. It's what made him a good investigator, but not necessarily the best guy to lead a crew.

Chris: And I gotta say, to go out on the summer season, I would prefer to go out on our guys than on a bad guy.

Frakes: Yeah, fair enough.

Chris: So it kinda worked out, even though we were a little short.

John: Also I like the fact we had Sophie start drinking this year. She never really drank a lot, but you know, she's a thief. To me, they are a lot like stand up comics. They work in bars at night, you know, they hang out that way. That's a great- that's the last image of the summer, right there.

Chris: That’s it.

Frakes: Damn.

Chris: Frakes!

Frakes: What fun.

John: What a pleasure!

Chris: What fun. I had to wait two seasons to do this.

Frakes: To get back. Because the first time we worked together, The Wedding Job- too funny.

[Laughter]

John: Too funny, let’s not rehash.

Frakes: That’ll never happen again!

John: There you go, alright say goodnight to the folks.

Frakes: Thank you for coming.

Chris: Thank you.

John: Put another DVD in, they get funnier as we get drunker.

[Laughter]

Frakes: Can we watch one more, dad?

John: No we can't!

Frakes: C’mon!

John: You gotta direct another show!

Frakes: I wanna watch the whole season tonight!

John: Alright we’ll put them in, fine.

[stinkyhyena9000]

I’ve had this jingling around in my head for the longest time and finally decided to make a post about it!

Here’s how each of the four U2 songs in Sing 2 correlate to the story.

So firstly, in case it needed to be stated, all songs by U2 in the movie are canonically written by Clay Calloway. It’s not too important, but yeah.

So starting off, the first song is Where the Streets Have No Name

[Original Version] [Sing Cover]

So basically, this song plays when pitching the idea of a space musical to Jimmy Crystal. Everyone seems to be a huge Clay Calloway fan because somehow everyone knew and was able to sing the song on the spot.

Anyways, the meaning of the song is that you can’t tell how well someone is doing based off of where they come from. I didn’t come up with this idea, it’s from an interview I can’t find. Anyways, we can also come to this conclusion that origin doesn’t matter in the end in the title and lyrics. The idea of a street having no name is because the street (AKA origin) does not matter)

In the case of Sing 2, the idea of the origin not mattering is present. Firstly, Buster Moon grew up poor and now runs a very successful theatre. Where he started off did not equate to how he ended.

Likewise, in the auditions, the Moon Crew from a theatre that does not belong in Redshore City (or more like they were not prepared for the intensity). Anyways, although they come from a place deemed unfit, they still made it to the auditions and got accepted by the infamous Jimmy Crystal.

Furthermore, Suki Lane says “You think this little guy from nowhere can get Clay Calloway in the show?”. Despite coming from ‘nowhere’, the crew do exceed her expectations and do in fact get Clay Calloway on the show. The street they come from did not matter, and thus has no name.

Funfact, the theatre’s street actually does have a name in the literal sense. in a bonus feature for Sing, Buster Moon has an add for the New Moon Theatre, with an address listed. The name of his street is 551 Echo Drive

The next song by U2/Clay Calloway that plays is all the way in the past-halfway point of the movie. The Song is Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of

[Original Version] [Sing Cover]

This song is about finding someone in a difficult situation and are stuck in it. It’s kinda meant to be seen as the singer telling the other to wake up and get yourself together. I would say it’s not meant to be that harsh, but also Bono himself said “the song is an argument... You’re kind of trying to slap somebody around the face, trying to wake them up out of an idea” (2000 Rolling Stone Interview [I would link it but I can’t find a direct link. A lot of sites are quoting this quote though, so yeah])

In terms of our story, post-Sing2, we could imagine Clay wrote this for Ruby, who was probably struggling at the time with her sickness and likely fell into a depression, and this song was to help motivate her to emotionally get better.

Likewise, Ash sings this song for Clay himself when she finds that him himself has fallen into a rut this time. Again, it’s to try to motivate the listener to get yourself together and shake it off.

It is important to note that Clay Calloway realizes this and does get himself together after this song.

Our third U2/Clay Calloway song is the song Clay and Ash sing together in the show: I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

[Original Version] [Sing Cover]

[tonguetyd]

SAFETY AND SILENCE

But also…(and idk how to warn yall without giving it away but) tw suicide and moreso the (HEAVILY DISCOURAGED) romanticization of it

We get DEEP up in here.

Could not agree with you more! Silence IS safety. Noise is scary. You don’t know what’s making it. You don’t know if what’s making it is gonna hurt you. If it’s silent? Nobody is yelling. Nobody is fighting. It’s why I love being alone so much, because I can’t control other people but I can control myself. So when I’m alone and it’s quiet? I’m safe. It’s just me. There’s no unpredictability.

And I feel like somebody who talks about abusive and toxic relationships in every song would ABSOLUTELY agree with that sentiment. The gods scream at him and through him, in his case. He is forced to be their mouthpiece, no matter how much he may have initially agreed to it. And when they finally release him, yeah no WONDER he only needs the silence.

But also…besides sleep (the act), what else is silent and where nothing can ever hurt you again?

…well. Death.

And when you are desperate for that silence…

Sometimes I think Telomeres is the song before Atlantic. Chronologically. It’s him making that decision. He’s not speaking to Sleep, he’s speaking to letting himself go.

And it’s kinda scary because…that paints a really fuckin romanticized view of suicide and death, right? But when you’re stuck in that headspace, when you make that decision…there is kinda a “oh I’m doing this” moment and your brain stops yelling for a second. And it’s quiet.

And THEN approximately 2 nanoseconds after you take that action, your brain starts SCREAMING because that is literally not at all what your brain is programmed to do. It’s there to make sure you DONT die. So the actual process of afterwards is fucking -282/10, do not recommend 😅😅

“Drift why the FUCK do you like this song then, Jesus Christ, we don’t romanticize that shit here” agreed!! Absolutely agree!! But I think it’s another “love and death are intertwined” situation that ST does so well. It’s about being vulnerable and safe and giving into the pull of the tides and letting the love take you to freedom.

And it is also about how death can do that same thing.

Except…it can’t always. It’s fucking miserable and painful. And you think it’ll solve everything, just the way you thought pledging yourself as a vessel to Sleep would solve everything and grant you everything you desire.

But nothing lasts forever. Even the safety of death. Eventually, the aftershocks of death or near-death make their way out, and you wake up surrounded by eyes like frozen planets.

So maybe, even though love can’t solve anything either nor does it last forever, you try to stick it out to see what the silence and safety that love brings is like the next time you hit this vicious cycle.

And when you say “this is the start of something new” it turns into “I must be someone new”

And ultimately. Ultimately. Even if it’s about hope via [again for emphasis] something you should not try [I don’t need anyone misinterpreting this as me saying to try suicide, you shouldn’t, it sucks, trust me on this], OR via something less violent.

Ultimately. At the end of it all. No matter the path.

It’s a song about hope. And those are so rare in ST songs and that is why I cling to it.

Outside of being a very intimate and, in some ways, soft song, one of the things that always gets me about Telomeres is the lyric "You guide me into safety and silence."

Firstly, while on the surface level (and just in general interpretation) it's very simple; Vessel feels safe with this person. However, with the knowledge of Sleep's tendancies, the line between 'safety' and 'danger' blurs a bit.

Secondly, in the chorus of Higher, one of the main juxtaposing lyrics is "And you need the melody, I only need the silence." So, Sleep, in all their want of constant noise and song, gives in to make Vessel feel comfortable. That's why Telomeres feels soft.

Along with this, we're also brought the question of: what is the significance of silence? Or at least a semblance of it?

Firstly, the most obvious example of silence is found in sleep, not the deity, just the action, itself. Most people (asides from sleep talkers and walkers like me lol) are dead silent when they sleep. Plus, obviously, the night is much more quiet than the day. In a place where "there was no street lights: just pitch black and passing headlights", the only noises you'll truly be hearing is the wind in the trees, the night time bugs and the odd owl.

Further, the Feilds of Elation are described to be "quiet and loamy" (which, fund fact! I always used to mishear as "could endow me"), which we could inferr means silence = joy. In The Offering, the second person is "silence on sacred shores", again, showing a link between silence and something positive.

Also, in Atlantic, we have "just orbiting the vaccum I am". Vaccum comes from the Latin word 'vacuus', which means void, vacant, idle etc. While this is most definitely in reference to how Vessel feels empty and drained, I think it's worth the mention that inside the biggest vaccum we know (space) is is completely and utterly silent.

Plus, Fall For Me, arguably the most heart wrenching song on that album, is dead quiet asides from Vessel's vocals.

I find it quite ironic, almost tragically so, that the man who yearns for peace and quiet is the one who 'speaks' the most.

[leffee]

!!! Bad sans poly kinda general talk kinda headcanon-y, because lack of it on tumblr is unforgivable. Having said that: AAAAAAA

The poly includes: Nightmare, Dust, Horror, Error, Killer, Cross,

Well, mainly Nightmare (but others too) are very OOC, but what can you dooo,

So, yeah, Nightmare gathered this bunch of skeletons to just work for him at first, but after some time they all started falling for one another. After all, they say that being in stressful situations with somebody creates the strongest bonds, and they all have trauma to deal with,

Nightmare was the one who initiated the relationship since he could feel the overwhelming amount of love they all held for one another and him. He was rather hesitant, but in the end, his emotions reading doesn't lie. Needless to say, others were baffled that literally everyone else felt the same, but also delighted,

You bet that they helped Error overcome his haphephobia. And after it happened, he was severely touch starved instead. Hence others would smother him with affection. Error himself would often sneak into others' rooms (mainly Cross, Horror, and Nightmare's) and hesitantly admit that he wanted cuddles,

They all are just very touchy and affectionate with each other. It took some time, but they got used to it. Now it's nothing strange to see two or more of them in the weirdest positions, if only for the sake of being with each other,

Otp, otp, aaaaaaa!

They are all asexual,

Killer is the most social of them all, so if they go out somewhere not planning to be a menace, he's doing most of the talking while others just stand behind him awkwardly. The problem? He's social in a rather murdery way,

Sometimes, Horror will take a "Free hugs" sign and just stand somewhere where all his boyfriends are, looking at them expectedly. Dust usually cracks first. Other times he will do it by entering someone's room while they're sleeping and starting creepily at them. When they wake up this conversation ensues, "...How long have you stood there?" "Last three hours." Is it worth it? Yeah,

Speaking of Dust, he and Error are more often than not the quiet ones. Hence they love spending time with each other in silence. That includes: watching TV, laying on the grass outside of the castle, and finding the other to cuddle up with. Whoever initiates them simply gives the other "the look" and they just know,

Cross is literally the only one of them to regularly work out and train his magic. Nightmare tried to force the rest to at least work on their attacks every day, but they all, including him, are too lazy,

Whenever they go somewhere, be that from room to room, or some AU, there will always be that one person who doesn't feel like moving and persuades Nightmare to carry them in his tentacles. However, once that person does that, the rest will start whining to be carried as well,

Dust has discovered that Horror makes a perfect pillow and now everyone wants to lay on him, much to Horror's amusement and delight,

Speaking of, they almost always sleep in the same bed. However, even after finding the biggest bed possible, fitting six skeletons on it is hard, but at least they are all snuggled up,

At first, they tried to keep their relationship a secret, but it failed when Cross couldn't help himself and just kissed Nightmare in the middle of the battle against the Stars. Now, it's kind of a tradition to try and kiss each other in the middle of the fight while dodging any incoming attacks,

Their cuddle piles can be so messy and unorganized sometimes, trying desperately to fit on the couch or wherever they want to,

They make pillow forts sometimes. It mainly started with Killer and Dust, but now everyone helps. It's just a cozy, little space that can be comforting, especially when compared to the spacious castle,

They have matching, fuzzy slippers,

They love each other!!!

I always talk about Errormare, but it actually is Bad Sans Poly that is my number 1 OTP (Errormare is #2). Becauseee lovelies??!

That's probably just part one.

[vquacki]

It's My Fatherly Duties!

It's My Fatherly Duties!

Short DAD Scenarios 

Characters: BONTEN - Rindou Haitani, Ran Haitani, Sanzu Haruchiyo

~ Inui Seishu, Kokonoi Hajime, Izana Kurokawa, 

~ Souya Kawata (Angry), Nahoya Kawata (Smiley)

Warning ⚠︎︎ : Mature content, cussing, MINORS DNI

Note : requested, I added some characters. Hope ya don’t mind! These are pretty short, just little things I put together. Word barf kinda..? Anyways- I hope you enjoy :))

R I N D O U 

His lashes fluttered open when he heard a loud crash coming from the hallway, along with a string of cuss words sounding like his daughter's voice. 

“What the hell was that?” You groaned, not a single word was uttered from your husband when he sprung out of bed, bolting to the bedroom down the corridor.

“Tohru?!” Rindou yelled, flinging open the door. Revealing your teenage daughter fully dressed, half way through her second story window. A facade of pillows under her blanket seeminging meant to be her ‘sleeping body’.

“Oh dad, I-”

“What the hell are you doing” The man was fuming by the ears, pajamas ruffled when he jolted out of his slumber. 

“Is Tohru okay?” You peeked from behind the broad shouldered man. 

“I was just going to get fresh air!” Your daughter lied, making up a somewhat excuse to appease her angered father. 

“Hey Tohru! Hurry up and get down here!” You heard a boy's voice call out, looking over at Rindou’s face to see the man's darkened expression.

“Who the fuck is down there? Is that a boy?!” He growled, stomping his feet over to the glass. Pushing past his daughter to take a look. 

“Oh shit- her dads here. Let’s book it!” The kids whispered, but loud enough for Rindou to make out, hastily running down the dark street. 

“You little shits! Don't you dare come back here!” Rindou growled, slamming the window shut in the process. 

“What! Dad!” Tohru whined, 

“You're so grounded young lady!” Rindou shouted, not caring for the sleeping neighbors beside his shared condo at three in the morning. 

“Rin, she was just having some fun!” You defended, you were also like her when you were her age, trouble makers run in your blood. Actually Rindou couldn't even talk- he was running roppongi at her age.  

“No! She's just too young to be hanging out with boys!” Rindou’s brows joined together as he withered in front of you. 

“But we dated when we were her age-” You deadpanned at him, 

“Grounded! My final answer!” 

R A N  

Ran was coming home from a late night bonten meeting, mouth agape when he saw his daughter’s feet dangling out from her window. 

Fearing the worst he sprinted to the ground below his child, hands outstretched to catch her if she were to misstep. 

“Mitsuri!” His voice boomed,

“Eh? Dad?!” His daughter stuttered, slowly slid out the window, climbing down like she had done this many times prior to this awkward occurrence. 

Toes easily touching the grass with ease, not a scratch upon the females porcelain skin. 

“Ran?” You yawned, cracking the door ajar. It was late, you waking up to your husband's screams outside your house. 

“Mitsuri, what are you doing climbing out your window like a maniac?!” Ran scowled, hands running through his messed up hair. Sweat dripping down his temple from the not so pleasant adrenaline rush. 

“I was just gonna hang out with some friends..” your daughter answered, fingers gripping the edge of her shirt, scarily waiting for her dad’s reaction. 

“At this time of night? .. out your window?”

“Ye-”

“Phone privileges. Give me it.” Ran demanded, palm stretched out. 

“But-” no question she was a tad bit spoiled by her father. You being the bad cop, while your husband played the good cop for his beloved daughter. 

“If you want to go anywhere all you got to do is ask!” Ran plucked the phone from his daughter's hand, a wave of relief washing over him. Secretly thanking whatever being watching over him that it wasn't some sort of gang related subject. 

“This is what you get for spoiling her!” You laughed from the sidelines, hand clutching your stomach.

“This is your fault too ya know!” Ran argued. 

“I’m the one who tries to discipline her! But someone always lets it go!” You emphasized the special somebody. 

“Whatever” Ran sighed, This was a lesson for the usual carefree man, a special lesson he wouldn't forget in the many years to come with his unborn future children. 

S A N Z U 

It was Sanzu’s best day of his life when his daughters were born, the two only being about one year apart. They were spoiled to the core, anything they wanted their money liberl father blessed them with. He thought they were the sweetest things ever, them both being a daddy's girl after all. 

He never would have expected to see both of his daughters outside his humble abode, standing beside two boys, most likely a double date. 

He stared in shock, hands pressed firmly against the glass, teeth gritting. 

“Huh? I tucked them into bed an hour ago” You rubbed your eyes, riding yourself of the sleepiness threatening to drown you. The pink haired only tutted his teeth, swifty twisting the door knob to confront the four children outside. 

“Oh you better run” your oldest daughter whispered, gesturing for the boys to make haste from her deadly father. 

“You better not come back here, unless you want trouble you fuckers!” Sanzu yelled, red in the eyes from anger. Not bothering to chase after the two scoundrels. 

“Dad, mom! What are you guys doing awake?” Your youngest asked, sheer panic in her eyes, watching her insane fathers unpleasant smile. 

“I swear you two will be the death of me” Sanzu uttered, shoving his hands into his pockets. A irked gleen in his orbs as he stared them down. 

“They were just friends dad, stop overreacting” the older daughter said, 

“I- You little shi-” He bit his lip to suppress his anger fueled words, knowing well it would definitely hurt his precious children's feelings. Having regretted it later if he were to say those sinful words. 

“Now now Sanzu, let's head to bed” You wrapped your arms around your lover, dragging him inside the house. 

“You can sort out their punishment tomorrow, after a good night's sleep” , coating him with reassuring words. That day he learned how misjudged he was of his children, even so he still loved them with all his heart.

I Z A N A 

Izana had his feet kicked up, relaxing in his office while he watched the moon. He had a clear view, the street lamps positioned next to the sidewalk, the side of his beautiful house facing his office window. He was enjoying his free time, mind taking over his body while he thought about his life choices. He was in ease until he saw his son's window light up, a long string of rope being tossed out the opening. 

Sitting up from his chair, he rushed over to his clear casement. Throwing his window open, a boy and girl standing beneath his son's window. The two holding the rope still as your child tried to slid down. 

“My my Yuki, where are you off to?” Izana laughed, nerves finally relaxing when he figured out what was going on. Calmly settling into the frame, head leaning on his chin. It wasn't like he had the right to be upset, he did much worse when he was his son's age. Robbing, fighting, killing. You name it, Izana’s done it. 

Sneaking out was nothing compared to what he did, but he wasn't gonna just let his son go. He was more wise now, he knew for a fact he didn't want his son to end up anything like him. Sure, he wanted the boy to have fun, but in a normal kid way. 

“Dad! Um- I”

“You better get your arse back up that window before I drag you around with that rope” Izana smiled, Totally different from the sentence he was portraying. Not forgetting his manners, giving a nonchalant wave to the other two kids. 

“Zana? Who are you talking to?” You asked, placing a cup of tea you had prepared for Izana on his desk. 

“Oh no one doll” Izana answered, closing the window before walking over to you. 

“Let's go to bed, yeah?” He proposed, trailing his hands around your shoulders, guiding you to the door.

“But the tea I made”

“Im tired~” 

Overall the male wouldn't want to talk further about the situation, nor would he discuss it with you. Trivial matters held no place between you both, as long as the child did not dare do it again. 

I N U I 

Inui wiped the sweat dripping from his forehead, the AC wasnt working at the motor shop. Him, draken and yourself were sweating bullets, the hot material around you not helping. You had decided to help the pair around the shop, cleaning what you could. Or helping with cashing every customer out, it would've been an easy task if it wasn't blazing hot. 

Leaving your daughter home alone, obviously thinking she’d stay and do her teenage things. You couldn't be more mistaken, astounded as you watched her fiddle around with a boy across the street at the ice cream parlor. 

“Y/N please don't tell me that Kagura..” Inui’s jaw dropped, the wrench that was once in his clasp dropping to the ground. Startling the concentrating Draken that was crouched over a motorbike. 

“What's wrong Inui? Y/N” Draken twisted his body around, raising a brow when you two just started muttering to each other like two creeps. 

“Is that... a boy” Inui held his chin between his fingers, squinting to get a better view of his kid. 

“You trying to catch flies with your mouth Inui? Close your yap” You whispered, 

“Y/N! She's too young, I feel like I just held her in my arms not too long ago. She can't get married just yet!” Inui argued, he would've been on the verge of tears if he didn't have a reputation to uphold. 

“What? The fuck are you on Inui? She's probably just with a friend!” You patted his back, reassuring the man. 

“Boys and girls can be friends ya’know” you added.

Cueing the two children across the road from you, feeding scoops of ice cream to each other.

“I don't think friends do that..” Inui looked over at you, eyes widening when you swung the motor shop’s door open. Hands coming around your mouth to amplify your words,

“Kagura, is that your boyfriend?” 

“WHAT?” Inui almost fainted, the ledge behind him holding his wobbly frame up right. 

“I didn't know you guys would be here!” Your daughter jogged across the street, leaving the boy sitting by himself. 

“And no! Just a friend” She answered your embarrassing, blushing as she stared down at the ground.,

“I sense some lies” you wiggled playfully at the flustered girl. 

“What! Anyways, Sorry I left the house without telling you” Kagura apologized, 

“Just don't do it again, without my permission..” Inui stated, 

“Especially not with a boy.”

K O K O N O I

Bribing people is his forte, and if they did not obliged? Threatening always did the trick. 

And that's exactly what he did when he saw his descendant out with a male. All was dandy until the boy came running back, babbling about how his girl was the so called ‘love of his life’.

“Hey brat, you got a death wish?” Kokonoi asked, leaning against the door frame. 

“Koko go easy on him, he’s just a kid” You nudged the man, a mischievous grin plastered on the males face. 

“And I kinda think it's cute” You said, a small smile erupting from your daughter that was not so far behind her parents. 

“I approve, kid! I like your romantic drive!” You clapped, 

“Y/N!” Kokonoi pouted, 

“You better not try to bribe him with money again” You threatened, waving a finger at the whiny man. 

“Yeah! I like him too, dad!” Your daughter agreed. 

“You're like twelve, go play chess or something” Kokonoi barked, crossing his arms in disapproval. 

“Dad, I'm sixteen!” 

“That's what I said” 

S O U Y A 

He almost had a panic attack at the sight, having to shield the man from the scene playing out. Your twin daughter saying their goodbyes to their dates, followed by a kiss. You removed your hand when the boys were no longer in view, riding off in their motorcycles. 

“Shira, Nihra” You held Souya up by the shoulder, the light headed male limping towards the worried kids.

“What's wrong with dad?” Nihra questioned, eyeing her ghostly pale father. 

“He's out of it” You giggled, 

“I'm not crazy am i?” He stood tall, letting go of the arm you had draped around him. 

“There was boys-” His voice cracked. 

“You saw that dad?” Shira sweat dropped, watching as her fathers should leave his body. 

“Next time ask before you go out” You smiled, you weren't too strict on the two. They were Souya’s children, earning most of their adorable traits from him. Even his fighting skills. 

“This better not happen again, i'm trusting you” Souya grumbled.

“Sorry pops” The two girls remorsefully sollied the man, both hooking onto one of Souya’s arms as they helped his shell into the house. 

N A H O Y A 

Nahoya was beyond pissed, infamous smile widening. Taking fast steps towards your daughter and her significant other. 

“Look boy, I don't know who you are. But my daughters not up for grabs” Nahoya grinned, cracking his fingers. 

“O-okay sir” the boy was jittering, body trembling from the males intense arua. 

“If I catch ya here again” he used his finger to slash his neck, motioning to the death that would happily greet the boy if they were to ever meet again.

“Yer dead meat kiddo”  Nahoya laughed, watching as the boy ran for his life. 

“Dad, that was really extra!” Your daughter sneered, a pout on her lips. 

“Shut up!, you're grounded rat!” Nahoya shouted. 

“Yeah Nahoya, there was no need to threaten the poor kid. He looked like he was gonna piss himself.” 

“Exactly the effect i wanted”

End Note : as I said this was a word barf T-T, so it’s quite short.

Reblogs & Notes are always appreciated! Take care! ♡︎♡︎

[fruggo]

I’m not gonna lie this would be the first time I requested something so if I do something wrong I’m really sorry,

Can I request Quentin, Leon, Steve, and Frank meeting a female reader who, before the entity took her, had already faced off her own killer?

And this made her kinda tough? Like she knows what she’s doing

oh my gosh thank you so much!! this is my first ever request to fulfill so we’re in this together :DD seriously i really appreciate you!

i decided to do a headcanon kind of format for this, i hope that’s okay! also these are my absolute favorite boys aaahhh this is so fun for a first request

the boys x tough f!reader (part 1) (part 2)

warnings: swearing, reader kicks frank in the shins

word count: ~700-1k each (sorry if it’s too long…i kind of got really excited and uhhh maybe i got carried away,, yeah. sorry)

(also i'll be honest quentin's is not my best. that was the one that got eaten by the tumblr abyss and i had to write all over again, and it just didn't come out the same way that i wanted it to at first :( i did the other boys hoping i'd get some inspiration to fix it afterwards, but i got kind of stuck. so it's not my favorite, but i hope you like it okay! i want to write better stuff for quentin in the future, he is my favorite sleepy boy <3)

𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐇

when you arrived in the realm, everyone thought you would be the same as the others—frightened, confused, and overwhelmed. but you took this nightmarish challenge in stride, adapting to your surroundings quickly and learning far faster than anybody else had.

your past experiences had made you independent and sometimes distrustful, so once you had the gist of things, you didn’t need (or want) anybody to tell you what to do. and nobody was inclined to, either—your instincts naturally told you what to do and when.

the first time you met quentin was a little awkward, i wont lie. you were wary of speaking to the other survivors; you weren’t going to let yourself get hurt again.

it was the beginning of a trial. the nurse’s fatigued shrills could be heard all the way from the edge of the wrecker’s yard, but you immediately started work on a generator, unafraid. a few minutes passed, when soft footsteps indicated someone’s approach. it was quentin—he started to work on the wires without hesitation.

you were a little surprised, only because the other survivors usually left you to your own devices. you got the impression that maybe they were intimidated by you, which you didn’t particularly mind. but you wouldn’t particularly mind some company now and then, either.

it was comfortably silent for a while, before quentin spoke up.

“what’s your name?” he asked, gaze still focused on the wires.

hesitating a little, you told him. then you said, “and you’re quentin, right?” you already knew most everybody’s name just from observation.

“that i am,” he replied.

then it was quiet for a while.

very quiet.

well, what were you supposed to say now?

the silence was deafening and very, very uncomfortable to you. normally you were okay with a quiet atmosphere, but it was the kind of silence that buzzed in your ears, chewed at your stomach, filled the area as if it were something solid. man, what were you supposed to say—

it was then that you realized poor quentin had fallen asleep, his face smooshed onto the generator. his cheek was now covered in grease and grime.

it made you smile—only a little. you finished repairing the generator on your own, causing quentin to wake with a start and bang his head on the pole protruding from the machine. he swore like a sailor until he realized where he was, smiling sheepishly.

“sorry, i wanted you to have your nap. you looked really tired,” you said. you also couldn’t stop admiring the dark grease on his face—it was really quite funny. and no, you weren’t going to say anything about it. it could stay there a little longer.

you spent the rest of the trial running the nurse around the whole wrecker’s yard, only suffering one injury until the end. quentin had no idea how you had been here for such little time and already knew how to outplay the nurse, one of the most difficult killers to survive against. he still didn’t know how to do it well himself, so he was thankful for you.

however, once the exit gates were opened, you found yourself in a bad spot. the nurse had caught you in an empty clearing with nowhere to hide or predict her moves, and she downed you instantly. quentin cringed hearing your agonized scream as you were hooked.

there was no way you were dying on his watch. once he was sure the nurse was gone, he gently lifted you from the hook, pulling out his medical kit to begin patching up your shoulder.

despite the pain, you had enough energy to smile at him and say, “thanks, nap boy.”

quentin feigned offense with a wry grin, pulling out some gauze. “is that all i’m going to be to you? nap boy?”

you hummed, pretending to be deep in thought. “maybe you won’t be if you get me out of here.”

“that won’t be a problem," he smiled, quirking an eyebrow.

“show me the gates and then we’ll talk, nap boy.”

from then on, quentin became your go-to source for supplies and general comfort. you weren't scared of this place, but it was nice to know you had somebody who would really be there for you.

he would often fall asleep on your shoulder at the campfire--he really was a nap boy, and you would never let him live that down.

𝐋𝐄𝐎𝐍 𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐘

leon could not tear his eyes away from you the first time you arrived in the realm. your presence was strong; he could tell you weren’t one to back away from a fight.

most of the survivors had been (rightly) confused and disoriented when they popped into the realm, but you tried to accept it quickly. you didn’t like it, in fact all you wanted was just to go home, but you came to terms with it and jumped into trials headfirst like an insane person.

that was the courageous part about you—maybe you were scared, but you did scary shit anyways. in fact, you did scary shit to spite the fear, to prove to yourself that you were strong enough to overcome it.

and leon couldn’t lie, that was cool as hell.

you had tunnel vision and didn’t pay much notice to the other survivors; you were too focused on learning about this place and getting out of trials. having gone through some real shit, being here hardly came as a surprise to you. if you were going to be here forever, what was the point in mourning? might as well just accept it and try your hardest to survive. maybe someday this sick game would end, but for now, you were prepared to fight for your life and that’s all you could really focus on.

your first trial was not the best. even though you were resourceful, you didn’t know what the objective was yet, so you weren’t sure where to start other than analyzing your surroundings. luckily for you, leon kennedy was one of your teammates.

after being downed immediately by bubba’s chainsaw and tossed onto a hook, you were amazingly resilient to the pain. leon was the one to lift you from the hook, and he took out his medkit to help patch your wound, but you flinched away from him before he could touch you.

he was puzzled. “what’s wrong?” he asked. he didn’t want to make you uncomfortable, but he wanted to help you.

you hesitated and looked him over before mumbling, “i’m fine.” and you tried to stand on your own, beginning to limp away. you didn’t want or need anyone’s help.

leon sighed, following after you. “let me help, that must hurt a lot.”

“i told you, cop, i’m fine. i don’t want your help, okay?”

leon opened his mouth to insist, but decided against it. if you didn’t want his help, then he shouldn’t butt in. that wouldn’t keep him from watching over you, though.

but then leon called after you (perhaps a little smugly), “do you even know what you’re supposed to do?”

begrudgingly, you stopped walking. no, you didn’t know what to do. “i’ll figure it out,” you said over your shoulder. and you would; you had been through enough to survive any situation thrown at you.

but maybe one pointer couldn’t hurt.

“do a generator,” he told you, giving you a cheeky grin when you turned around to look at him. he was lucky he was cute.

the first part of the trial had been rough, but after that first hook you were doing a lot better. you managed to find your own medkit from a chest, and you learned how to fix a few generators. you found it came pretty naturally, and were satisfied that you hadn’t needed anyone’s help (except leon’s. but you didn’t have to admit that yet). when the killer came near, you skillfully avoided him and stayed hidden as much as you could.

you were also pretending that you didn't notice leon hovering near you. he was not very good at being subtle; he was obviously trying to make sure you didn't get hurt. it was cute. you didn't want to ruin his fun, so you didn't say anything about it.

it wasn’t long before the gates were powered and in the process of being opened. you saw a red glowing light in the distance, and assumed that must be your destination. you put all of your remaining energy into sprinting to the exit, adrenaline pumping through your body.

but then there was a heartbeat. a heartbeat so loud it filled your head, splitting your concentration. it wasn’t your own heartbeat--it was the killer’s.

the sound of the cannibal’s chainsaw roared in your ears and pain tore through your body; you collapsed to the ground with a cry of agony. shit, that really hurt, and you weren't sure you could ever get used to it. eternity sure seemed a lot longer than you had first anticipated. would you really be here forever? doing this over and over?

biting your lip until it bled, you tried to crawl towards the gate, dragging the lower half of your body with much difficulty. it was no use, though--you hardly got anywhere, and you could already feel the killer picking you up. just like that, you were going to die? you had been so close..

but as you were being placed on bubba’s shoulder, you saw a flash of a police uniform and a blinding light, and before you knew it, you had been dropped to the ground, the exit gate looking awfully lovely and much more desirable than a meat hook. you gathered all of your strength and began limping forward, when suddenly you felt an arm firmly wrap around your waist and your own was placed around someone else’s shoulder.

leon. when you looked up at him, all he did was give you a calm smile, which you felt inclined to return. with him supporting you, the two of you made it safely to the exit and began the long traipse back to the campfire, where you would find yourself spending a lot of time together.

from then on, you always remained quite unfazed by the events of the entity’s realm—the only thing that ever made you feel weak was being around leon. he was just so cute :]

𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐕𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐎𝐍

you had never met someone so persistent in your life. from the moment the entity stole you here, steve harrington was after you, and there was next to nothing you could do about it. he sure was living up to his self-proclaimed role of babysitter.

you told him you were fine, that you didn’t need him following you around, but the asshole did it anyways.

“how cool do you think you are?” you asked him at some point, to which he simply shrugged with that stupid grin on his lips.

“i can take care of myself.” “i really don’t need you to baby me, steve.” “steve, if you don’t leave me alone i’m going to break your kneecaps.” these were all things that had come from your mouth multiple times recently. you were seriously thinking about that last one now.

you knew you could make it on your own, and you only wished he would give you a chance to prove that to him so he would leave you alone. but it was like he had attached himself to your hip, and for some reason the entity seemed to really enjoy putting you in trials with him. great.

he was a dumbass and a sweetheart, and you weren’t sure which one of those took higher priority. you knew he only meant well, but god, you wanted to be independent for once. why did he think he had to protect you so much? you arrived here after running for your fucking life, fighting off your long-time pursuer, and living in awful, ever-changing conditions. you had seen your closest friends die, right before your eyes. you didn’t need to be sheltered or coddled, but you couldn’t seem to make steve understand that, no matter how much you fought with him.

steve would literally throw himself in front of the killer for you. he clicked his flashlight in the killer’s face if they were after you, and he would swear and cuss until they chased him out of pure annoyance. it got him killed countless times, and you didn’t know whether to call him stupid or selfless. probably both.

eventually you decided to just copy him and see how it worked out. you weren’t scared, you had no reason to be. you wanted to show him you could be just as flashy as him.

as you arrived into a trial, steve right across from you (of course), you smiled to yourself. you had brought your best flashlight, and you were prepared to use it. the two of you began to work on a generator together, making light conversation as usual.

“if the killer comes here, hide. i’ll take him away.” “fuck you, steve harrington.” “sure, if you really want to.” “why don’t you ever leave me alone?” “it’s a mystery, isn’t it?” “i could punch you right now.” “but you won’t. i’m too good to look at.”

you know, the usual friendly stuff.

you purposefully connected the wrong wires, making the generator spark and sputter. “oops. oh no, the killer must be on their way,” you dead-panned. steve gave you an unamused look.

and indeed, only a few moments later, you heard the sound of the hillbilly and his chainsaw roaring in your direction. the two of you split up, and the killer’s weapon collided with the generator, making an awful screeching sound.

and that was when the chaos started.

steve began hollering and flicking his flashlight into the sky as usual, and after a moment’s hesitation, you did the same. steve looked at you in astonishment, pausing, but then he started again, even louder. you tried to outdo him.

“HEY BILLY! FUCK YOU!” you screamed, ignoring steve’s attempts to get you to stop. “COME AFTER ME, SHITHEAD!”

steve started actually yelling, just yelling, while you continued to swear meaninglessly. the poor hillbilly looked confused and overwhelmed, and eventually he couldn’t take the noise anymore--he just left, opting to find the other survivors while the two of you sorted out whatever it is you obviously had against each other.

it was dead silent now that the killer was gone, and you and steve were both out of breath. but as soon as you made eye contact, laughter bubbled up from your chest, causing you to collapse against the tree and slide to the ground. your voice was hoarse from all the screaming.

and then he was laughing too, stumbling over to plop down next to you, and your giggling started up a whole new round.

after the laughter died down, you stared at your hands, ignoring steve’s gaze on the side of your face until you couldn’t anymore.

“what?” you asked, finally looking at him. he was smiling all stupid again. “what?” you insisted, fighting off a grin of your own. you hated when he looked at you like that, because it made you want to smile back at him.

“nothing,” he said coyly, laughing again. you punched his shoulder playfully.

“c’mon harrington, when have you ever held your tongue before? spit it out.”

he nodded, that was true. so he said it. “i just like you, that’s all.”

oh. oh.

realization dawned upon your face. “is that why you always--”

“yes,” he interrupted you. “i thought it was obvious. man, you’re clueless sometimes.”

oh.

huh.

you guessed…maybe…steve harrington wasn’t that annoying. maybe.

𝐅𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐊 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐍

to say you were feisty was an understatement. frank hated your guts at first because you were so good at evading him, which he would never admit. but the thing that made him really mad was that if he ever downed you, you would kick at him and try to trip him over, like actually bruise his shins. it hurt like hell.

this lead to his decision to constantly tunnel you, and he would laugh at you while you were on the hook, too. so you hated his guts just as much as he did yours. it was a mutual guts-hating situation.

your teammates always felt bad for you, but they also thought you were a badass and knew you could handle yourself. you hadn’t told anybody where you’d come from or what had happened to you, but they knew it was something interesting. there was a reason that nothing that happened here really got to you.

sometimes things escalated even further than shin-kicking. there was one time where frank had managed to grab the back of your shirt as you tried to vault a window, and as he pulled you closer to himself, you elbowed him in the neck and squirmed out of his grasp. while he stood stunned and lost for breath, you kicked the back of his locked knee so that he fell to the ground and bonked his forehead on the wall—the classic dead leg.

this was very funny to you.

not to him.

while you ran away, laughing to yourself, frank’s anger built and built. he was tired of letting you make a fool of him, and it was time to be serious about things.

he ignored you for the rest of the trial, forming a plan in his mind. there was something he needed to do after this, so he made sure to kill everybody else to please the entity—he couldn’t get caught up, it would derail his anger train. he also didn’t feel like getting kicked in the balls or some shit, so he let you out without a problem.

frank did some brooding at the ormond lodge before he was ready to go through with his plan. and his shins really, really hurt, so susie helped him ice them before he left.

the masked killer made his way to the survivor camp rather hastily. when he arrived, he saw you pacing around, deep in thought.

so he threw a rock at you.

it was just a pebble, really. maybe it could be considered a rather large pebble, but frank insisted in his mind that it was a pebble.

“ow, what the fuck!” you cursed, rubbing your sore shoulder and looking around to find the culprit. and then your eyes laid on him.

he looked so sultry standing there at the edge of the woods, arms crossed and mask smiling, you could almost laugh at him. he acted so serious, when really, he was just an angry and misbehaving twink.

you put on your best serious face, genuinely trying not to be amused by this, and strode over to the killer.

“what do you want?” you asked confidently, mirroring his body language and crossing your arms.

frank bristled at your approach, as if trying to make himself look bigger. he wished you were scared of him like everyone else, it would really make him feel better.

“i want a truce,” he said.

you almost burst into laughter at that. a truce? what the fuck for?

he said was willing to stop tunneling and camping you if you stopped beating the shit out of him with your sticky little hands. he didn’t say it like that, but you knew that was what he meant. you, a survivor, could beat up frank, a killer, and it upset him and his little ego :(

just to humor him, you agreed. and frank nodded.

“but,” you continued, raising your eyebrows, “you have to give me something else.”

he started to say “no, no way—“ but you interrupted him: “you’re asking me to stop fighting for myself and just give in when you catch me. i think i deserve something other than just not being tunnelled.”

frank glared at you under his mask, thankful that you couldn’t see. “okay. whatever. what do you want?”

“i want to see your face.” you thought this was a good choice, something you could lord over him forever. it was surely only a win for you. his face was something private, and you would be the only survivor to know.

of course you wanted to see his face, frank thought. everyone did; they wanted to find out if he was good-looking. which, according to him, he was. if you ever asked the other members of the legion, susie was the only one to actually respond. she felt obligated to compliment him as she was basically his sister. so she would say frank is handsome in a ruggedy, jess mariano kind of way. you wondered how she knew what gilmore girls was, since that came after her time, but susie would never give away her secret.

so with a sigh, frank agreed to let you see his face. he didn’t really care, all he wanted was to stop having bruises on his shins. it was kind of miserable, and the entity never did anything to help him.

when he said that you couldn’t do it here, and you asked why the fuck not, he said it was because some other survivor might see. you decided he had a fair point, so reluctantly you let him drag you all the way to ormond.

when he took off his mask, your first thought, whether you wanted it to be or not, was “wow! he really does look like jess mariano! but with tattoos! hot!”

you were lost for words. you didn’t really know what you were expecting, but you sure weren’t expecting him to be that attractive.

he could tell your thoughts from the look on your face.

this had been per your request, and you were planning on this being something you could hold over his head, but the situation had turned into something that he could hold over your head.

oh dear. frank morrison now held pretty boy privilege over you.

and soon you would find out that he was going to keep tunnelling you anyways.

listen i've been watching a lot of gilmore girls and i just get jess vibes from frank, except our boy is more of a twinky idk shdjfhsf i love this guy sm

[tojiot]

ooh have about the main three with the fake dating trope :D

fake dating the main three

gn!reader, cursing here and there, typos and grammatical errors to be edited, past tense - present tense swerving to be fixed.

note: i was on vacation for 2 days without internet and i have bakugo's done in my notes but my phone died before i can even save it :D this will be kinda long because i went ahead of myself and detailed it exactly how i want. this is not betaed. please do tell me if there's a non they/them pronouns in here. hope you'll enjoy this!

requests are: open!

ㅡ bakugo

i spent the whole day thinking about how he'll agree to fake date. let's just say he's the one in need.

his mom has been bothering him for a long time now. she wants to see katsuki bring home a partner for them to meet.

it's a pain in the ears and he's very TIRED so he decided to just fake date somebody.

the only person he can tolerate in class a aside from kirishima is you. he doesn't care about the other extras.

he'll search for you in the heights' lounge area and ask to talk.

"hey, can we talk?" he grumbles, "uhh, sure? do you want to talk here or somewhere private?" "somewhere private."

when you guys are in a more private area, he'd glare at you for a minute, it'll make you wonder if you did something wrong, before finally speaking.

"date me for a fucking day."

you'll snort at what he said and laugh thinking it was a joke but the annoyed and impatient look on his face says otherwise.

"wait.. are you for real?" "what do you think, shithead?"

bakugo trusts you so much that you have this significant role to play in his life.

you agreed, of course. it's the bakugo katsuki asking for your help. a once in a lifetime chance. (you just like him, stop making things up)

he brings you to the bakugo household the day after and his house is BIG big.

mitsuki, his mom, welcomes you with a big smile and a hug. he then glares at his son, "WHY ARE YOU ONLY BRINGING THIS PRETTY LITTLE CREATURE NOW, YOU BRAT?" "SHUT UP, OLD HAG! BE NICE OR I AIN'T BRINGING THEM HERE NO MORE."

masaru, who's just sitting there at the couch like nothing's happening, gives you a wave.

the dinner was good. his mom's a great cook, his father's a chatterbox. what surprised you the most was how quiet katsuki is. you're not sure why. maybe he's like this at home? quiet, calm, just serene.

"it's not everyday i see a person who can tame my brat of a son. i can see why he likes you, (y/n)." his mom beams at you, "you're pretty, a kind little one too. take care of my son, will ya?"

not knowing what to say, you smiled at her and said what's currently inside your mind, "if he'll let me, i'll take care of him for the rest of my life." you looked down, "but knowing katsuki, he doesn't need anyone to take care of him. he's strong and independent and he knows it. it'll hurt his pride if someone helps him without him asking them to." you smiled to yourself, "i just hope he knows that when he needs me, i'll always be here for him."

mitsuki smiled at you in awe. you have the mother's approval, congrats!

katsuki just stared at you with furrowed eyebrows, masaru pats his back, "good job, son. i'm happy for you."

he then murmured a protest before drinking his water.

time passed by and it's eventually your time to say goodbye to the bakugos.

mitsuki hugs you for the last time and ask you to come have dinner with them again, masaru pats your head and thanks you for being there for his son.

both of you were in a car provided by the school for safety protocols when he spoke, "did you mean it?"

you looked at him, confused, "mean what?" "what you said earlier to my mom, shithead. did you mean it?" "well, yeah. i mean it when i say i'll always be here for you."

he wore this unreadable and unclear expression on his face. he looks mad? confused? no one knows.

"why?" he asked, "why what?" "WHY DO YOU KEEP MAKING ME REPEAT MYSELF. WHY DID YOU SAY IT?" "YOU'RE A FRIEND OF MINE, THAT'S IT."

he chuckled bitterly, "a friend. that's fucking funny. i literally though you also like me for a second."

huh.. what does he mean? also? you laughed nervously, "hey, did i hear you right? thought i heard 'also' there."

"you're fucking dense, aren't you? do you want me to scream it straight at your face? i fucking like you."

you froze. yes, but embarrassment caught up and you covered your reddened face, "WHY ARE YOU SUDDENLY CONFESSING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT? WHAT DO YOU EXPECT ME TO SAY?"

"I AIN'T EXPECTING YOU TO SAY ANYTHING, SHITHEAD!" "I LIKE YOU TOO!" "SHUT THE FUCK UP I DON'T WANT YOUR PITY OF A CONFESSION." "IT'S NOT A PITY OF A CONFESSION BUT FINE! I DON'T LIKE YOU." "OKAY THEN. I'M BRINGING SOMEONE ELSE NEXT DINNER AND TELL THE OLD HAG WE BROKE UP." "NOOOOOOO!!"

ㅡ todoroki

i was contemplating whether to have him help fake date or have him need help. it's fitting if he's the one in need so i decided just that.

he might seem dense and clueless most of the time but he's the epitome of evilness.

he talks about you all the time that's why fuyumi has taken a liking to you and asked shoto to invite you to dinner with them.

shoto sees this as a chance. he'll take advantage of the situation because he knows you won't say no.

he goes to where you are sitting, "i apologize but my sister, fuyumi, she thinks we're dating. she wants to invite you to dinner at our house later." he said that with a straight face but this mf is smirking on the inside.

"uhhh, okay? sure? but uhm, why would she think we're dating?" "she thinks everyone close to me is dating me. she's like that.. yes. fuyumi likes you the most, i think. that's.. uh, that's why she's inviting you to dinner." (I HC HIM AS A BAD LIAR)

sounds suspicious and weird, but okay? you have a lot of question in mind.

"i would go. but how should i act? why didn't you tell her we aren't dating though?" "i don't want to disappoint my sister. you can act like you're dating me, if it's fine with you. just for a day."

"sure, sure! just tell me where and what time. i'll be there." "no, you can come with me. we'll go there together."

he brings you to the todoroki household after class. their house is soooo pretty. it's a traditional japanese house.

fuyumi was the first one to greet you, with her sparkling eyes and bright smile, she held both your hands gently and said, "i'm so glad you came! i've been wanting to ask shoto to have you come eat with us. thank you for coming!"

natsuo jogged from the back and gave you a cool wave, "hey, (y/n). how was it dealing with shoto?"

you faked sighed, "awful. how did you deal with him for the last 16 years?" "we never did." "oh.... OH NO I'M SORRY!" "HAHAHA. it's fine, i'm just kidding. no biggie."

enji won't be home for the day. he's busy doing number 1 hero works.

the dinner was fun. it was the funniest dinner you have ever had.

shoto's quietness is the exact opposite of natsuo's talkativeness. that man is talkative and funny as fuck. throwing jokes everywhere. it was entertaining.

all shoto did was take care of you. he serves you all the food you point at, gets you water, he even went too close for comfort and wiped a stain just above your lips. it made you blush, yes. you don't know why but it left you lightheaded. (you're in love with him, that's why)

fuyumi.. our beautiful and beloved fuyumi.

she exposed his brother's ass.

"aww. you guys are so cute together. ah! (y/n), do you remember that time when.. uhm, kaminari was it? i forgot his name but do you remember that time where he told you, midoriya, and the girls to wear a maid costume for the festival because your class is having a maid cafe booth? shoto told me you were so pretty that time! he hated how the boys in your class looked at you like you were some sweet treat, isn't that right, shoto?"

"and do you remember when you fought bakugo at the sports festival? where it was a close fight and you gave him a hard time? shoto said you won if the decision was up to him and that you were so cool!"

and she went on and on.

shoto was red as a tomato (or even redder) beside you. he was clutching his pants as if he was asking the floor to just eat him up.

you decided to ask him about this later to not uncover the fake dating plan.

dinner ended after a little talking, fuyumi gave you leftovers to take home which you will not reject because her cooking is divine, and asked you to come again after giving you a big and warm hug.

natsuo gave you a high five and thanked you for coming. he also thanked you for laughing at his jokes. he feels like he's very funny now.

both said goodbye to shoto.

the journey back to the heights was quiet but not awkward. it seems like shoto knew you have a lot in mind.

you spoke when he's about to open the main door. "what was that?" he looked at you with a confused expression, "the one at dinner."

"ah, if it isn't obvious yet after my sister opened her mouth, i like you. i have been for a long time now." he said that with a deadpan expression, "it annoyed me at first, it annoyed me that you're in my mind whenever i try to sleep, you're in my mind everytime i wake up. it annoyed me that i want nothing more than to hold you near me, hold your hands, warm you up with my fire everytime you feel cold, hug you, kiss you." he sighed frustratedly, "i just want to do everything with you... i'm sorry. i'm not good with words."

WELL YOU DID NOT EXPECT HIM TO BE THIS STRAIGHTFORWARD.

but again, this is todoroki shoto.

"..what? shoto... i didn't know you felt that way. why didn't you tell me?" you asked him concernedly, you lifted your hand to hold his face but stopped halfway thinking maybe he doesn't want to be touched.

but then he held your hand and guided it to hold his face, "i didn't actually plan to confess but when people started talking about how good of a hero you'd become in the future and when everyone started saying they all want to date you, that's when i decided it's now or never." he looked at your eyes, "i don't want to lose this chance. that's why i started telling fuyumi stories about you and asking her what to do."

"is that why your sister thought we were dating?" "yes. she knows about how i feel for you. she told me to confess and i told her i did and that it went well. i lied to her. i don't know why."

you coughed, "so, she doesn't really think everyone close to you is dating you?" "yes." "you lied to me?" "yes, i apologize."

"you could have told me you like me too!?" "it's not that easy to confess. plus, i really wanted to know how everything will go. it went well, i'm satisfied. you like me too, right?" "i do, shoto. i like you so much." he smiled at you, that rare fucking smile he knows is pretty, "that's enough for me."

"BUT YOU TOOK ADVANTAGE OF EVERYTHING?" "yes. yes, i did." "WHAT THE HELL'S WRONG WITH YOU!!?" "date me, (y/n)" "OKAY!"

ㅡ midoriya

a lot of guys from the other class have been bothering you. they kept on asking for your number and stuff. one even sent you flowers and a box of chocolates.

you appreciate it if you're being honest. what you don't appreciate is them sticking to you the whole lunch.

you told mina what's happening and she told you that the best shot of getting off those admirers of yours is to date somebody.

you don't wanna to that though. aside from focusing on studies, you have feelings for this certain someone with green messy hair and freckles. you don't want to date someone just to use them and lie to them.

"you know, what if you just get your shit together and confess to midoriya?" "MINA, BE QUIET! SOMEONE MIGHT HEAR YOU!" "confess to midoriya!" she whispired.

"or just ask him to date you until your followers stop following you around?" kaminari interjects, "what, you mean like, fake date him?" "yeah. something like that." "you're really useful sometimes, aren't you?" "shut up, mina."

you've thought about it all night. would izuku think i'm using him? would he reject the idea? would he be mad about it?

after contemplating, you finally went out of your room and walked straight at his door. he opened it with a smile after 3 knocks.

"hey, (y/n)! how can i help you?"

you looked at him nervously. what you were about to ask is a big part to act. "i will get straight to the point. some people from the other classes have been bothering me for a while now. they keep on following me and asking for my number even though i rejected them all the time. i want to ask you if you could date me? IT'S FAKE! OF COURSE. will you please fake date me until they get off me? i, uh, i'm not taking advantage of your kindness. i promise. right?" you said with a shaking voice.

he laughed at your rambling, "no need to be nervous, (y/n)! i would love to do the honors and fake date you! it's like an undercover hero mission. it's so cool! when do we start?"

you smiled at his enthusiasms. izuku is really the kindest person here on earth. you told him what to do, who those people are, etc. your fake dating starts tomorrow.

izuku was waiting outside your door when you opened it, he has his usual beaming smile when you saw him, "hi, (y/n)! ready to start our mission?" he's surely so into this whole thing.

you both walked down the lounge area holding each other's hand. everyone was gaping at the sight except todoroki who remained munching on his sandwich and bakugo who, well, "fucking finally you idiots." he said.

izuku let go of your hand and held both his hands up while shaking his head in a panicky manner, "no, no! we're just fake dating. i'm helping (y/n) get rid of their admirers! they said it was bothering them!"

"okay. but (y/n), why deku?" the motherfucker was smirking at you. todoroki, bless him, caught the panic in your eyes and called bakugo off. "that's enough, bakugo. leave them alone." "tsk! fucking icyhot a fucking killjoy."

most of your admirers stopped following you after they saw you holding hands with izuku. he's been doing a lot for you. he tried to tie your hair at training and brought you water. nothing much happened inside the classroom because everyone knows it's just a show. lots of outsiders believe you're dating izuku. some still bothers you from time to time especially at lunch.

you were sitting with bakugo, todoroki, kirishima, and of course, izuku, when a group of 3 went to your table (they're brave. no one would come bother bakugo's table because everyone's terrified of him.)

"hey, (y/n). can you give me your number now? i just wanted to get to know you better." "(y/n) give me your number! i'll send you lots of chocolates. i promise!" "they're liars but i'm not. i'd take you to your favorite movie this sunday of you'll give me your number?"

you pursed your lips in an annoyed manner, your friends are here and they're embarrassing you. you were about to speak when izuku beats you to it, "please stop bothering (y/n). it's obvious that my partner doesn't want to give you their number."

the group stared at each other with bewildered expressions on their faces, one looked at izuki and asked, "partner? you mean, combat partner or boyfriend? (y/n)'s dating someone?"

izuku wore a prideful expression on his face, "yes, i am their boyfriend and they're dating someone. that's why with all due respect, please leave them alone."

the 3 backed out and apologized. not everyone has the same personality as mineta. the person who seemed like their leader walked forward and bowed, "we're so sorry. we should've stopped when they rejected us the first time. they're just so intriguing that's why we wanted to know more about them. we're really sorry." with that, they left.

you faced izuku and thanked him. it was nice to finally walk and look around without seeing unfamiliar faces follow you. "thank you so much, izuku! you saved me. really."

he smilled at you, "it's nothing! i'd do anything for (y/n)." izuku froze at what he said and started chuckling anxiously, "i.. i didn't mean it like that! hahaha! but if you need anything, i, uhm, i'd always be glad to help." you stared at him and said, "me too, izuku. i'd always be glad to help you! you can come to me everytime you need something." he blushed at what you said.

"FUCKING IDIOTS JUST GET TOGETHER ALREADY! I'M TIRED OF HEARING BOTH YOUR SHIT! CONFESS TO EACH OTHER GODDAMNIT!" "oi bakugo. that's not how to do it." "SHUT UP SHITTY HAIR!" "bakugo, you're too noisy." "YOU HALF AND HALF BASTARD I'M TIRED OF YOU TOO!"

izuku coughed tensely, "(y/n), can i talk to you outside? i just need to tell you something." you nodded, "of course!" you both stood up and left the table of wild animals.

when the two of you got outside, izuku's hands were obviously shaking so without a thought, you held it. "are you okay?" "I AM... i am." "why are you acting like this? did something happen?" you asked worriedly.

"no, everything's fine. i just.. i don't know how it started but i just woke up one day thinking how i'd love you to be mine. i want to walk you to school, i want to tell everyone i'm your boyfriend, i want to kiss you good night. haha, is it to much to ask, (y/n)? i like you a lot." he told you that nervously, the boy was shaking and sweating.

"i can't believe it... izuku, i like you too. oh god, are you serious?" "i am, haha! i didn't know you feel the same. i'm really happy!" "i didn't know you feel the same too! half of our classmates knew that i like you. katsuki's just too noisy. he literally told everyone when you did extra training." "(y/n).. kacchan also knows about my feelings for you! he told todoroki and kirishima. is that why he's so persistent in getting us together?" "i don't know. that's just how he is."

you both were awkward as fuck but izuku asked if you'd like to date for real and you said yes.

when you came back to the table, it was bakugo who spoke first, "are you idiots finally together?" you replied to him with a middle finger which aggravated the blondie, "YOU FUCKER!"

[reidsmemory]

Daycare

Fandom: Criminal Minds

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Reader

Summary: Y/N is a high school teacher and Hotch’s niece. She meets the BAU one morning and feels a connection with one of the agents. A few weeks later she is involved in a kidnapping and has to get her students to safety. 

Genre: Action with some fluff

Quinn Speaks: Okay so I kinda got off track here and it’s more of a bad ass reader fic but I wrote the bulk of this at like 2 am. I hope you all enjoy and let me know if you want a part 2!!

not my gif!

     Your day started at 3 am. That’s right, 3 am. The buzzing noise of your phone woke you out of your slumber as you picked up the device and brought it up to your face, the blinding white light made your eyes adjust immediately. Uncle Aaron was listed as the caller ID and a picture of him, Jack, and yourself was also shown on the screen. 

     “Hello?” you said in your best ‘you totally didn’t wake me’ voice which really ended up being your ‘I’ve been dead for 5 years and been just revived’ voice instead.

     “Y/N, I’m really sorry, but I need you to come in to BAU. We just caught a case and I can’t a sitter for Jack so he’s here with me and-” the man would have kept rambling about the situation if you hadn’t cut him off.

     “No problem, Uncle Aaron. I’ll be there in 25 minutes.” You threw off your covers and began to walk over to your bathroom. 

     “You’re a lifesaver, thanks Y/N.” You hummed and he promptly hung up the call. You flipped on the light switch and saw that you had indeed looked like you had been dead for 5 years. You sighed and got to work. 

     You usually babysat Jack when Aaron was out of town for a case and your flat had become a second home for Jack. It wasn’t like that hadn’t happened before, him calling you about a case and needing you to watch Jack, no of course not. But he would usually call you a couple hours in advance or it would be during hours of the day when you were actually awake and running around. 

     You finished getting your hair to look quite decent all things considered and your teeth brushed and your face was washed. You decide to just throw a cardigan over your tank top and shorts and you made your way to the front door, grabbing your keys, phone, and some snacks for Jack as well as slipping on your strappy, tan sandals. 

     You locked your door and walked to the elevator on your floor and pressed the parking garage button. The elevator hummed as it went down and you yawned, stretching a bit as well.

     The doors dinged open and you made your way to your car and started to drive off. To keep your eyes awake, you played a classic rock station that was full of guitar solos and drum bangs that would surely keep you up. You pulled into a little drive through and got some coffees for yourself, your uncle, and his team as well as a hot chocolate for Jack.

     “25.96 is your total,” the cashier at the window said as you handed her your card. She was still ringing it up as she turned to you, “so, what’s got you up at 3 am and grabbing a shit load of coffee?”

     You chuckled lightly at her words, “babysitting emergency.” 

     She gave you a grin and handing you your card. “Well, good luck,” she said while handing you the holder for all the drinks as well as the drinks themselves. 

     “Thank you, have a good morning,” you said with a light smile.

     “Ditto.” She closed the windows and smiled as you drove off, you still had about 10 minutes to get to the BAU. Traffic was light which worked in your favor as well as living pretty close to the building. 

     You parked and started to get out with the coffees as you made your way to the entrance. You stepped inside as the security guards scanned you and checked the drinks and you were finally able to make your way up to the designated floor with a visitor pass.

     A woman with black hair came into elevator as well and you both exchanged good mornings and a light smiles. She was no doubt judging the outfit you were wearing, wondering where in the federal government you work that allowed you to come into work wearing your a sleep top and shorts as well as a big cardigan. 

     You both stepped out on the same floor and you made your way through the bullpen and straight to your uncle’s office.

     Emily watched you walk off and she furrowed her eyebrows, she had never seen you at the BAU before and now you were walking into her boss’ office with coffees and in your pj’s. “Do you know who that is?” she asked Spencer as he looked up from some paper work.

     “Who?” he asked as Emily discreetly pointed in your direction. Spencer furrowed his brows as he had never seen you before. He watched you walk up the small amount of stairs to Hotch’s office and noticed that you also had a visitor pass in you hand as well a some coffees. 

     “Spencer?” Emily said as he continued to watch you. “Reid!” she snapped in front of his face as he finally brought his attention back to Emily. He looked at her and quickly stole glances at you when he though she wasn’t watching. 

     She noticed. 

     Emily grinned at the younger man as he turned his attention back to Emily and blushed lightly, deciding to return to the papers in front of him, but not without sneaking another glance at you. 

     Your uncle opened the door and ushered you into his office where Jack was sleeping on the couch. “Thank you for coming,” his voice was quiet and you just smiled as he brought you into a hug. 

     “I got coffees for you and your team; needed one myself and figured you guys would want some too,” you whispered as Hotch smiled lightly and took the carrier from you. “So what happened?”

     “Missing child in Louisiana. He was over at a friends for a sleepover and was nabbed about an hour ago.” You nodded and frowned a bit as did your uncle.

     “Well, good thing they’ve got the best on the job,” you tried to lighten the mood as he held a closed lipped smile. “Don’t worry about us, we’ll be fine.” 

     He nodded his head and grabbed some files from his desk and headed to the door of his office. You smiled at him as he said his goodbyes to Jack, waking him. 

     Hotch closed the door and was met by the stares of his team, “we’ll have to brief on the plane. There’s been a missing child report in Louisiana so wheels up in 10.” The team nodded and started to pack up and get ready. “My niece got us all fresh coffee as well,” he walked down the stairs and put the tray on an empty table. 

     “Y/N’s here?” Morgan asked as Hotch nodded. “She is a lifesaver.”

     “My words exactly,” he said and walked away as the team went to grab the drinks. 

     You put Jack on your hip and started to walk out of the office. You closed the door and turned around as you were greeted by the warm smile of Derek Morgan.

     “Morning, Hotcakes,” he teased as you smiled widely. You walked down the stairs as he pulled you into a side hug seeing as Jack was clinging to your other side. You both pulled away as he started up again, “thanks for the drinks.”

     “Course, I figured you guys would be as tired as me,” you said nonchalantly as he nodded. You saw the other pairs of eyes on you and quickly introduced yourself, “sorry, i’m Y/N. Aaron’s niece.”

     They nodded at your words as Rossi made his way over to you. “Nice to see you again, Kiddo,” he hugged you the same way Morgan had and you smiled at the older man. 

     “Jennifer Jareau, but I go by JJ,” she stuck out her hand as you smiled at her and shook it. 

     “Emily Prentiss.” The raven haired woman did the same as JJ as she shook you hand and smiled.

     “Uh, Spencer Reid,” the taller brunette man told you as you shot him a small smile seeing as he didn’t offer a handshake. “I wasn’t aware that Hotch had a niece,” he said.

     “Oh, yeah. I moved out here a few months ago for Hotch and Jack,” you told them.

     “Where do you work?” JJ asked.

     “I’m a teacher at Philip Moore High School.”

     “Yeah, Miss. Y/N is the best history teacher,” Derek teased a you rolled your eyes with a small smile on your face. 

     “Alright, I better get out of your guys’ hair and get this little one out of here,” you told them as they nodded. “Good luck with the case.” You smiled at them and gave Morgan on last side hug before you were walking through the bullpen and towards the elevator. 

     Spencer watched as you went and felt a clap on his back from Derek. He whipped around and saw the older man smiling. “Somebody got a crush on the teacher?” he singsonged as Spencer’s cheeks flamed pink. 

     “From the minute I pointed her out to him,” Emily recalled as she chuckled a it, “the chatty doctor turns into a gaping teenage boy.” Spencer heard JJ snicker as he felt his cheeks heat up even further. 

     The door of the BAU opened as they all whipped around and saw Hotch standing with his go bag and some files, “lets go.”

***

     It was a few weeks later and the case had gone great from what your uncle told you. They had found the kid and caught the creep who took him within the 24 hour rule they set up. 

     You stood by a yellow school bus and held a roster of names in your hand. “Alright!” you yelled out as mostly all the kids quieted down. “I’m gonna let everyone sit where they want as long as the volume doesn’t get too loud, yeah?”

     There was a mix of yes’ and okay’s in the crowd of 25 or so sophomores. Today you were taking a trip to the nations capital, a tradition for this school. The kids would go see a historical museum and take a tour of the White House, then you all would eat lunch downtown and then the kids go to vote on whether they wanted to go to another museum or go see a historical show. 

     “Lets get going then.” The kids filed onto the bus as you marked the names to the faces. Your co-worker was standing next to you and handing kids their badges and name tags. 

     Once everyone was on the bus, you turned to the slightly older man. “Ready to go?” he asked you as you nodded. Both of you climbed on the bus and the kids quieted down as Mr. Greene opened his mouth, “Alright you all know the drill, no wondering off, no yelling or running, and stick with your partners!” 

     They all nodded and said a variation of yes.

     “I can take the middle if you want the front,” you told him as he nodded and you headed towards one of the benches you had put your bag on. A mix of girls and boys were around it and you were glad that you were on the younger side so that you could somewhat understand what they were talking about. 

     “Miss. Hotchner!” a boy called as you turned to face him. “Do you have any games for the ride?” This got the attention of the kids around you. 

     “Sure,” you started, trying to think of something to keep the teen engaged and interested. “Whoever can spot a red car with the letter q in the licences plate will get ice cream for them and their seat partner. Same thing goes for blue cars with a y.” The kids nodded and started conversing strategies on how they would do this. 

     You knew it was silly, but you would’ve loved if a teacher did this during your school trips. The bus started moving and you were soon pulling away from the school. 

***

     JJ walked into Hotch’s office, “We’ve got a case and need to go now.” He put down his pen and and grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair. 

     “Fill me in,” he said to JJ as he motioned for the rest of the team to get up. 

     “A bus full of high schoolers on their way to a field trip in DC. They never checked in to their morning tour or any other events. Parents can’t get a hold of kids and faculty can’t get in touch with the teachers on the trip.”

     “So it’s local. How long ago did the high school contact us?” he asked.

     “Not even 15 minutes ago,” JJ told him as he nodded. 

     “Let’s take the SUVs and set up at the high school,” he told the team as the nodded and grabbed their things and headed for the doors. They sped to the cars and split up; Hotch, Reid, JJ, and Morgan in one while Rossi, Emily, and Penelope were in the other. 

     “Alright,” JJ set up her phone so it was on speaker and connected to the other car. “26 kids and 2 teachers along with a bus driver were heading out for an annual field trip the school does for sophomores. No one on the bus has been able to be contacted and were supposed to be back at the school 45 minutes ago.”

     “What time did they take off?” Morgan asked.

     “7:15 am and their first activity was at 9:50 am which they never checked in for according to the museum,” JJ explained. 

     “Garcia,” Hotch started, “can you pull up the bus GPS?” 

     “On it, Sir!” she replied. They kept driving to the school and were within 7 minutes of the destination seeing as they had sped all the way there. The team talked more as Garcia was pulling stuff up. Hotch pulled into the school and payed no attention to the sign as they did so. 

     They hopped out of the car and were met with the principal who had a grief stricken face. “Thank you so much for coming,” he spoke, “James Randalf, I’ll take you guys to the room we’re set up in.”

     “SSA Aaron Hotchner,” he said as he stuck out his hand. The man shook it but held a weird look on his face. “What is it?” Hotch asked.

     “You said Hotchner?” he asked as Aaron nodded, “Any relation to Y/N Hotchner?”

     “Yes, she’s my niece. This is Philip Moore High School?” The principal nodded as they walked through the hallway. He opened to door for the team swiftly as he stepped in. 

     “She’s one of the teacher’s that was on the bus.” Hotch paled at the man’s words as the rest of the team did a double take. Spencer had been to immersed in the case file and hadn’t seen the name of the high school as they pulled up or he would’ve at least connected the dots a bit faster. 

     “Get started,” Hotch said as he pulled out his phone rung your number up. The phone stayed ringing and no one picked up as Aaron cursed under his breath. “Garcia I need you to get the GPS of this number,” Hotch read your number and thought to himself that you always kept your GPS on and he urged you to do it one day as you took Jack.

     “Just in case anything happens, alright?”

     “Nothing will happen to us, but okay,” you said with as smile as Jack giggled in your arms.

     “Got the location, Sir,” Garcia said as Hotch snapped out of the trance he was in. 

     “Call for a SWAT car. Morgan, Emily, Reid, Rossi lets go,” Hotch ordered as they all nodded and followed the man out of the building, all hoping to find you and the kids.

***

     “Everyone just stay calm!” the man yelled as he entered the bus with another man behind him. The bus driver reached for his walkie-talkie and the second man shot him right in his forehead. The kids around you were whimpering and crying as you tried to be discreet about your movements.

     You grabbed the pepper spray from you bag and put it down your bra as well as taking your small pocket knife and putting it in your shoe. Students looked to you as you held up a finger to your mouth and nodded at them, gesturing for them to listen and stay quiet.

     “We don’t want to hurt anyone else,” the first man started, “we just want everyone to stay calm and stay quiet. We won’t kill you.”

     “Phones now,” the second said as he came around with a sack as kids put their phones in. You kept your head down and did the same, he didn’t seem to realize you were a teacher. He walked back up the aisle and pointed his gun at Mr. Greene. “Red, up,” he said referring to the color of the man’s shirt. He instructed Greene to move the bus driver out of his seat and onto the side of the road. Once he was finished he stood back up and both men stepped outside and shot him as well as dumping the phones.

     You took this opportunity to turn to the kids next to you. “Only call me by my first name, Y/N,” you told them as they nodded, “pass it on.” They whispered to each other and you were pretty sure that all the students knew what to do now.

     They stepped back on the bus and one of the men got into the driver’s seat while the other stepped to the aisle at the front of the bus. “Everyone is gonna quiet up. You all are a special bunch, parents in high position, rich, and willing to do whatever they can to get back their precious children.” The other man laughed as he started up the bus. “If I see anyone trying to communicate with the outside I will not hesitate to blow your head off. No talking and we wont have a problem.”

     He sat where Mr.Greene did as the other man started to drive off. Some kids kept their heads down and others near you looked to you. You signaled that everything was going to be okay and that you would kept them safe. 

     There had to be a way to warn you uncle where you were going. 

***

     At the sight, the team found two bodies and all of the cellphones. Hotch cursed silently as did the rest of the team. Spencer walked up and down the road as something had caught his eye. He picked up a folded piece of paper and opened it carefully. 

     “Do you have something, Kid?” Morgan asked as he nodded and walked over to the agents. 

     He unfolded the note and showed them as Hotch spoke up, “that’s Y/N’s handwriting.”

     2 men, White. 5′11 & 5′9. 190 and 170 lb. Aggressive and passive. Friends.

     The note had the team smiling as you had been able to give a clue of what they had to look for. “Definitely a Hotchner,” Rossi joked as Aaron smiled lightly at the man’s words. 

     “Lets get this back to Garcia, see if she can get a match.” The team nodded at their section leader’s words. 

     Spencer held the note in his hand and smiled to himself, he had only met you once, but you were proving to be very resourceful as well smart. This made his small crush grow into a full blown one and now he just had to get you back.

***

     They had taken you all to an abandoned barn about 3 hour drive at top speed. They tied you all up and made you all sit as they quickly made their way to a van that was parked in the barn. They had taken the boys to another location and left the the girls in the barn.

     As soon as you heard the car pull away you looked around for any cameras and saw that their were none. Girls whispered to each other as you soon gained their attention, “everyone listen up,” their eyes where on you. “We are going to get out of here alright?” They nodded as you quickly assessed the situation. 

     “What are you going to do, Miss. Hotchner?” one of the girls asked.

     “Get out of these.” You took the pocket knife from your shoe and switched it open. “Here,” you said handing it to one of the girls, “cut these open.” She nodded and did as you told her. Soon the zip ties where off your hands and you took the knife back from her and cut the zip ties around your feet. 

     You quickly did the same to the rest of the girl as you were all free now. “We move together. If they come back I’ll hold them off and the rest of you run and get help. Get my uncle, his name is Aaron Hotchner and he works for the FBI. Take this,” you grabbed the pepper spray and handed it to one of the girls, “use it if you have a good shot and pick up anything you can defend yourself with.”

     They nodded and you lead the way out of the barn. The van was no where in sight and you were good to go. You started going a different path than the main road in as to avoid the men. 

     You were able to walk with the girls for a good couple hours as you soon saw a gas station. You walked in with the girls and told the man behind the counter your predicament, he was about to dial the police as the door opened and a man walked in. One of the men who kidnapped you all. 

     He shot the man behind the counter and the girls froze. “Thought you could get away that easy?” he said as you gripped the knife in you hand behind your back. He came closer and pointed the gun at you all. “Lets go!” he yelled as some of the girls flinched. He got closer as you were able to tackle him the the ground. 

     His gun went off and slid to the side as the girl watched you and him fight.  You were able to flip him on his stomach and grab the keys out of his pocket. You threw them at the girls direction and yelled, “go! Like we talked about! Get to a big city and don’t stop!” He manged to flip you over and push you to the ground as you gritted you teeth and saw the girls run out of the shop and to the van. 

     You kneed him in the sweet spot as he crumbled above you and you got up on your feet and went to the gun but were tackled to the ground as your face slammed down. He turned you over and held down your hands as he delivered a punch to your face.

     This went on for a while; you and him struggling and giving each other bruises that would hurt for days. You were finally able to knock him out, by slamming his head against the hard floor. 

     You stood up and took the gun and knife as you were able to make your way out of the store and to the little car sitting outside. You broke the passengers side window and unlocked the car and made your way over to the drivers side to hot wire the car. You fumbled with wires and finally got the car to start as you heard a chime from the store entrance. The man was coming out as you pulled out as he tried to chase you as you stuck the gun out your window and were able to hit him in the leg as he fell to the ground. All those times training with your uncle had finally paid off. 

     You knew it was stupid, but you couldn’t help but go back to the direction of the barn. You hadn’t seen any structures where they could’ve keep the boys and you had to get them to safety. You had promised them. 

***

     A white van pulled up to the front of the school about 2 hours after the BAU had gotten there. The girls filed out and made their way inside the building as they saw the cars parked out in front and figured their would be someone there. The doors were open and they walked in and were met with shocked faces of the staff. 

     The staff got the agents as they made their way to the front of the school. Aaron watched as the girls look around clearly nervous and distraught. “We need to conduct interviews now.” The team nodded as they each took one of the girls into a classroom. JJ gathered all the parents with daughters and told them the good news. 

     Spencer and Aaron sat with one of the girls. “Start at the beginning.”

     The girl told them about the barn and how you had gotten them out and then the walk to the gas station and how you had fought with the man as you told them to go and get help. “Do any of you know Aaron Hotchner? Miss. Hotchner told us to get him and he would know what to do.”

     “That would be me,” Aaron spoke as she nodded. 

     “She saved us and I feel so bad for just leaving her there, with that man,” she shuddered at the thought. “Do you think he killed her?” she whispered to them as both Spencer and Hotch paled at the thought.

     “I don’t think so,” Spencer spoke honestly, “Miss. Hotchner is very resourceful and you said she had the upper hand, right?” The girl nodded as Spencer smiled. “I’m sure she’s fine and you did just what she told you. You don’t have to feel guilty.” 

     She left the room and was soon reunited with her parents. 

     “We need to get to the gas station,” Hotch said as Spencer nodded. “Half of us will go there and the other half to the barn. We can have Garcia see if the car had GPS and if she can retrace where it’s been.”

     The team regrouped and Garcia was able to get 3 locations in the vicinity. They split up accordingly and headed out to the locations.

***

     You had scoped out a small building. It had no cars in front of it and was the the closest building to the barn you had been in earlier. You knew you could either go in guns a-blazing, but the man inside would have the kids as leverage and you knew you had to take him out as soon as possible or at least injure him. 

     You held the gun in your hand and quickly made your way to the building as you looked into one of the windows and saw the boys all tied up and the man sitting with as concerned look on his face. You devised your plan and figured it would be easier to lure him out. You walked back to the car and put pressure on the horn as it continued to make noise as the heavy stick pressing against it held.

     The man came out as you hid behind a tree and waited for him to have his back to you. Once this happened you fired your gun and hit him in the back of his leg. He dropped to the ground and his gun went forward. You ran over and picked it up as he cried out and started cussing at you. 

     “You stupid bitch! You’re gonna pay for this!” he screamed.

     “Sure, buddy,” you said in an amused voice. You put the guns down as you turned him on his back and took the branch for the car and hit his jaw with it as he passed out. You put it down and checked his pulse, still alive. You opened up the trunk of the car and held him in an army carry as you put him in the small space as you closed and locked the trunk. You jogged over to the building and opened the door to see around 17 teenage boys looking at you with more fear than you had ever seen. 

     “Miss. Hotchner!” one said as you smiled and got out your knife and began getting the zip-ties off of them. 

     “Is everyone okay? Anyone hurt?” They all said no to your question as nodded and finished getting everyone free.

     “What happened to the girls?” one boy asked. 

     “They are hopefully with my uncle and making sure someone comes for us soon,” you told them as they nodded. “You’ll all get the full story when we get out of here, okay?” 

     You lead them out of the small building and told them to stay there. They did as told as you brought the car over and made sure to keep an eye on the man inside if he did manage to escape. 

     After waiting for a hour or so in the dark, a black SUV pulled up along with a swat car. 

     “Everyone put you hands up, it’s alright,” you told them as you placed down the gun and knife and put you hands above your head. The boys followed in suit and you soon saw your uncle get out of the car.

     “Guns down! It’s just the kids!” he made his way over to you as you hugged him tightly. You groaned lightly as he pulled away. “Are you alright?” You nodded and gestured towards the kids as your uncle understood. 

     Spencer came over to you as smiled lightly at him. Your face was littered with cuts and bruises and even a bit of blood that was dried on your face. “Hey, Spencer,” you said as he smiled lightly. “There’s one of the douche bags in the trunk.” You pointed as he nodded at you words.

     “Can I get some cuffs and a guy over here!” he yelled out as he made his way over to the trunk. A SWAT guy had his gun up as you unlocked the trunk and the man tumbled out. 

     He immediately started yelling, “where is that bitch!” he lunged at you from the ground as the SWAT cuffed him and brought him into custody. You closed the trunk and swiftly sat atop it. You winced slightly as Spencer was quick to come by your side. 

     “You’re hurt,” he said frowning as you nodded at his word. 

     “Got thrown around a bit,” you joked. He quickly went over to the SUV and got back to you as he was now holding a first-aid kit. He set it down on the trunk and quickly got to work on your face. 

     You cuts had stopped bleeding by now, but they were still open and Spencer delicately wiped them down and placed a few bandages on your face. You swore he was blushing, but it was too hard to tell in the dark. 

     He finished cleaning up your face and Hotch quickly thanked him. You got into the stolen car as 3 of the boys got in with you as well as Spencer and he started to drive off to the school.

***

     Spencer pulled up to the school as you all got out of the car. Parents were waiting outside the car and the boys rushed to them as they all let out cries. You smiled at the sight and had also asked Spencer about the fate of the girls earlier and were grateful for that as well. You made your way over to a paramedic and she checked you out and quickly realized that you had in fact a minor dislocated your shoulder. 

     “Seriously?” you asked as she nodded.

     “It was probably the adrenaline that allowed you body to over look it. That with the other bruises all over your body, your mind probably thought it was just one of those,” she explained. “I’ll have to pop it back in place.” You grimaced and nodded as she made her way over to your side. 

     Hotch was by your side as you stuck out your hand and he took it. Some of the students were watching, worried for you. 

     “Big breath in,” she told you as you followed her instructions and she quickly popped it back into place. You shoulder cracked loudly and you yelped a bit and turned some heads. “Alright, you’ll have to treat it with care and it might swell, but you are good to go Miss. Hotchner.”

     “Thank you,” you told her with a light smile and you hopped of the back of the ambulance. Your uncle rubbed you back as you looked to him. “How’s Jack?” you asked as he smiled at your question. 

     “He’s fine. Will, JJ’s husband, is watching him.” You nodded at his response and made your way to the school as he still had to pack up some stuff. “I’m driving you home and don’t even think about coming into work tomorrow.” You laughed as he smiled at you. 

     “Miss. Hotchner!” Your name was called you looked to your uncle and quickly departed to got talk to the families. 

     “Is everything alright?” you asked the father as he nodded. 

     “We,” he gestured towards all the parents, “wanted to thank you for saving our kids and keeping them safe.” A few mothers and fathers were crying and kids were smiling at you lightly.

     “Of course, i’m just glad that everyone is okay,” you told them truthfully. A girl came up to you and hugged you tightly as more kids came up and eventually the whole class was in a big group hug as some of them cried a bit, you surely teared up. They pulled away when your uncle came out and you bid the adieu and goodnight as you made your way over to Hotch. 

     “Ready?” he asked as you walked to your car. 

     You bit your lip. “One moment.” You made your way over to the young doctor and tapped him on the shoulder as he whipped around.  “Spencer,” you spoke softly as he looked at you and paused on working on your face. “Would you want to get dinner on Friday?”

     Spencer looked at you with wide eyes and couldn’t help but smile widely at your question.         

     “It’s just, I almost died a few time today and I don’t want to do anything that  would regret, which would include not asking you out. I know it’s bad timing and it’s totally fine if you don’t want to and-”

     You would’ve kept rambling, but Spencer cut you off, “I would love to have dinner on Friday with you.” You smiled at the man as he smiled back and now you were sure of the blush on his cheeks. 

     “Cool, um, do you have a pen?” you asked as he nodded and fumbled to get a pen from his bag. You smiled at him and took his palm as you wrote out your phone number and handed it back to him. “See you on Friday.” You smiled brightly as he nodded. You pecked his cheek and turned around quickly and was met with a surprised look on your uncles’ face.

     Spencer blushed brightly and brought a hand up to his face to check if that had actually happened. Derek came up behind him and smiled widely as he clapped him on the back. 

     “Finally got the girl! Good job man!” Derek told him as he smiled widely and was met with happy smiles from the rest of the team.

     “Dinner on Friday!” he gushed as they cheered and clapped a bit. All happy that the man had gotten some good new for once. 

      Dinner on Friday.

[suite43]

this was a commissioned peice of writing for @princemai . If you're interested in a commission, dm me!

Adjusting to life after the war was never going to be easy. How do you coexist with the people who've been trying to kill you for millions of years? It didn't take a nihilist to think that the peace wouldn't last.

Bumblebee counted himself pleasantly surprised that, well, something seemed to last. Peace wasn't the right word, but at least it was less "endlessely killing each other" and more "the entire universe hates us and we can't really blame them". But for the most part, these days, things were peaceful.

That didn't mean it was easy.

You wouldn't call it easy to wake up next to the closest thing you'd ever had to an arch-nemisis wrapped around you. You wouldn't quite know what to do with the fact that as much as he hates to admit it, he's afraid of the dark. And you wouldn't blame yourself for waking up sometimes afraid that you'll find a knife at your throat.

It wasn't easy. But it was peaceful, more or less. Because when Starscream kissed him in that way he did almost every morning, gentle and still half-asleep, Bumblebee could nearly forget he'd ever thought of the mech next to him as dangerous, and a part of him would wonder why it hadn't always been like this.

But then they get up, and the day would go on, and even though there's peace now, there's a lot of history, and Bumblebee can't help but feel like they're both just waiting for everything to turn sideways.

Bumblebee wants to trust Starscream. And he does, on some level at least. Immensely so. Enough to have trusted him with the fate of the universe. But every argument, every time the banter hits just a little bit too close to home, every time Starscream slips back into a crueler, more violent version of himself, Bumblebee wonders to himself if maybe this is it. After all, it wasn't really that long ago that they were shooting at each other.

Starscream has the same thoughts. Obviously, he won't admit it, but it's easy enough to see through his acts once you know him well enough - When did Bumblebee start to know him well enough? How the hell did that happen? It all feels so fast - But sometimes when there's a certain tension in his wings and his fingers curl up ever so slightly and his eyes shoot around, planning his escape, Bumblebee knows that Starscream is just as scared as he is.

It's not always like that. There are moments when they're alone where it feels like none of that matters. They sit together on their couch and they're quiet as they both do their own thing, and Bumblebee shifts to lean against Starscream's shoulder and Starscream wraps one arm around him, his hand idly tracing small circles on Bumblebee's plating, and it just feels right. Bumblebee feels more safe there than anywhere in the universe, curled into the side of one of the most dangerous people in the universe. In a moment like that, he'd tear his spark out and put it in Starscream's hands if he asked him to.

But... It wasn't that long ago that he watched people he loved die at those hands. Those same strong, clever hands that slotted perfectly into his like they were built that way, like everything in their lives had led them to this specific touch. Bumblebee wasn't a big believer in destiny but sometimes everything would line up just so, and if he'd been slightly more of a romantic he'd've called them soulmates.

It was this confusing blend of love and hate, of forgiveness and grudge and grief and adoration that didn't make sense at all and yet when Starscream knows exactly what to order him when they go out it makes perfect sense. And, somehow, it works out.

They've never really talked about... well, whatever this is. It's clearly a relationship, at this point. It's hard to argue for 'just friends' after that many rounds of... well, you know what. It's equally as hard after catching each other after god-knows-how-many nightmares, after thousands of late-late-night conversations, after the way that making each other laugh became the easiest thing in the world, after the way that they would whisper sweet complements between each other like a secret because it was far too embarrasing to say loudly.

So yeah, it was a relationship. But "open, honest communication" was not exactly in Starscream's skillset, and, well, Bee wasn't really sure he wanted to talk about it either. Putting a name on it felt. Dangerous. Like it'd ruin it. There'd be too much pressure, too much commitment, too much... truth. It felt like confessing something that he wasn't ready for.

It was one thing to sleep with Starscream. It was another to, say, kiss Starscream. It was a third thing to literally sleep with Starscream, to trust the second-least-trustworthy person on Cybertron to be with him at his most vulnerable. But to be dating Starscream? To introduce Starscream as his partner? As his conjunx? That was a world of different things that Bumblebee was absolutely not prepared to handle.

What was he supposed to say? Oh, by the way, this is my conjunx. He's killed more people than my brain can even comprehend, but he also saved the universe that one time so it's totally cool now, don't worry!

But he loved him, and that was the problem. He loved Starscream so much, and he wanted everyone in the universe to know about the funny, thoughtful, brilliant person that he loved with all his heart.

And didn't it mean something that Bumblebee had seen Starscream at his absolute worst, and still decided that loving him was worthwhile? It wasn't like Bee was just flailing at the whims of his emotions, he chose to be here. Well, not the first time, that had just kind of happened. But after that, he'd chosen to stay, because loving him seemed worth the trouble of hating him, right? And Starscream was getting better, and that was a good thing.

And who was he worried about knowing? The handful of people Bumblebee would've bothered to tell if they did get married already knew the situation, and it wasn't exactly like either of them were really public figures anymore. The government job Windblade had gotten to keep Starscream busy was mostly just paperwork, and aside from the odd job here or there Bumblebee didn't do much. He'd basically retired. So they weren't going to be the talk of the town or anything. Besides, it's kind of old news, there'd been rumors of them doing something together pretty much since the second the war ended. It wasn't true then, but by now the scandal had kinda worn off and it was more of a "yeah, no shit" kind of gossip.

Still. A decade or so of closeness didn't really feel like long enough for a lifetime commitment, especially after what, four million years of hating each other beforehand?

But... Life is shorter than you expect it to be, right? They'd both died once over the course of this whatever-it-was. And the second time, they really had thought it'd stick, and Starscream sorta-haunting him from another dimension or whatever seemed like it was a permanent commitment, and that didn't scare Bumblebee at all. It sounded nice, not having to be alone again. This was like that, except he could be alone, sometimes, because neither of them could walk through walls or locked doors anymore so all he had to do for some privacy was tell Starscream to politely fuck off for a bit, which was a plus, right? Way more pracitcal.

"Can't we talk about this in the morning?" Starscream complained, eyes half shut, snapping Bumblebee out of his train of thought.

"What?" Bumblebee asked, confused.

"I don't want you to propose while we're drunk and you're rambling, idiot," Starscream was laying in Bee's lap, nuzzling his face into Bee's stomach plating. They were holding hands. When did that happen? "We can talk about it later."

Oh, shit.

"How much of that did I say out loud?"

"I dunno, you talk a lot. You're keeping me up."

"Shit. Sorry."

"S'okay. Your voice is nice."

"Oh." It was quiet for a minute.

"It's okay if you hate me. I get it," Starscream said.

"I don't hate you," Bee responded, blinking a few times, trying to shake off the feeling of spinning. "I like it when you're here."

"But you kind of have to hate somebody a little to love them, right?" Starscream shifted, staring up at the ceiling, head still resting on Bee's stomach. "I mean, it's hard to be with someone all the time.  Especially when you're stubborn and stupid, and you do stupid obnoxious things and I hate it. But if you weren't those things I hate, you wouldn't entirely be you. And I don't just like parts of you, I like you, and I can hate things you do while still knowing that it's you, and I love who you are. Even when we piss each other off. It's still you. Right?"

"Do you think i'm stupid? I'm not stupid."

"You're missing the point."

"Oh. Sorry."

"Stop apologizing so much. I hate it when you apologize." Starscream's hand squeezed his a little tighter.

"Oh... uh. sorry."

"You make me feel... like..." Starscream just kind of trailed off.

"Yeah, I know. you too... uh. I mean. you make me. uh. you know."

"Yeah, I know."

"This is good, right?"

"Mmm, it's gonna feel shitty in the morning, but right now it's good."

"What about after tommorow?"

"I don't know. Ask me then."

"Hm."

"I don't have a plan, Bee. That's not normal for me. But I don't need you to tell me it's going to be like this forever, because it probably won't be. Things don't work out like that for us. But right now, for the first time in my entire life, I'm genuinely satisfied. Can we just enjoy that? I don't know how to be happy, Bee. I don't know how to handle it. But I'm trying to make this work. We can go back to shooting each other tommorow if that's easier for you, but right now, I'm happy."

"Yeah? Yeah. Me too. God, I'm happy," Bumblebee pulled their joined hands up, pressing a kiss to Starscream's knuckles where they intersected. "I'm happy that you're happy. I want you to be happy."

"I know," Starscream said. He muttered something else, but it was quiet and slurred and Bee couldn't quite make it out. In his head, Bee imagined it was something along the lines of I love you.

[sleepysloth99]

A/N: Heyo everyone uhh basically my mental state got me fucked up so why don't we make headcanons for numerous Sweet Home characters. 2 parts. Part 1 is a simple them comforting you during an anxiety attack and part 2 is them reacting to you telling them that you're a burnout gifted kid (yes OP needs some fucking help😂).

Characters: Hyuk, Netflix Wook, Hyun, Jisu, Yuri

I suppose content warning? Anxiety is mentioned after all.

Part 1: Them comforting you during an anxiety attack.

Hyuk:

•Guy is clueless as fuck lol.

•He'd try to make things better but he actually kinda made it worse.

•He feels terrible since he feels so useless in this situation. He's not exactly great with people.

•Eventually he gathers himself and gives you a blanket and makes tea.

•Puts on your favorite anime or show in general.

•He apologizes for being so crappy with all this.

•You have a favorite stuffed toy? He'll get it for you.

•Lots of cuddles. If you want he can play a video game and you can watch him.

•He's trying his best :)

•This is only the first time though.

•Around the third to fourth time this happens he'll actually know what he's doing.

•Ask what's wrong and won't panic. He'd be a lot more calm and would definitely be less hesitant to hold you.

•Again just bear with him.

Netflix Wook

•Thought Hyuk was bad? Wook's even worse.

•He doesn't know what to say so he just pats your shoulder.

•Lots of headpats.

•Right after you calm down he searches up about anxiety attacks and what to do if someone is having one.

•He'll also search up what to say to a partner during an anxiety attack.

•The only reason he kept his mouth shut the first time was because he was scared he'd upset you more.

•Want him to cuddle you and hush you? He'll do just that.

•Want him to hold him because you find holding things more comforting then being held? He's already laying down.

•Whatever makes you calm down he will do just that.

•He also buys snacks for you.

•Overall one of those "Quiet Supporter" types. He doesn't really say anything because mind you he isn't exactly great with his words so using gifts and physical affection he will try to calm you down.

•One muscular teddy bear lmao.

Jisu

•Unlike Hyuk and Wook, Jisu is a lot better at handling emotions for the most part.

•She'll immediately ask what's wrong and hold you.

•She'll just listen, and give her input when she feels the time is appropriate.

•She'll order out food and watch a show with you.

•Hell for you? She'd illegally stream a movie lmao.

•Lots of soft blankets.

•If you want, she can sing for you or play the guitar.

•She keeps her composure despite secretly being freaked out since she's never dealt with someone having an anxiety attack.

•She has a bat so if you wanna go out and smash shit up she'll come with you.

•Wanna scream all your worries? She already has her bass set up.

•She'd paint your nails if you want.

•She'll let you lay in her lap (Imagine laying in Jisu's lap☺️)

•Gives headpats.

•Gives scalp massages.

•Just like Wook, provides snacks.

•Would go all the way and buy a fucking pet for you.

Yuri

•See what's so special about Yuri is that she's worked as a caregiver for years, albeit with elders.

•So believe me she's seen a LOT.

•What I'm trying to say is out of everyone here, she's the best when treating you during an anxiety attack.

•She asks what's wrong.

•She never yells by any means.

•She kinda whispers but not really.

•Very calming, uses lots of lavender and chamomile based products.

•Already making some tea (or some drink you like).

•She'll run a shower for you.

•She uses aromatherapy based products in said shower.

•She would run a bath for you but that wastes water and she doesn't want you to sit in your own filth.

•Uses aromatherapy lotion on you.

•She will do some skincare for you.

•Spoils you with cuddles and snacks.

•Tries to ask further questions like "How long have you felt like this? Is there any other problems?"

•She won't push you though.

•Sleeping on her lap with fluffy blankets and forehead kisses. (Bro imagine sleeping on the goddess's lap???😳😳😳)

•Surprisingly very sweet.

Hyun

•Bro not gonna lie he really wouldn't know what to do.

•He's broken as is so if he says anything that comes off as insensitive he doesn't mean it, he's trying his best.

•Another Quiet Supporter.

•Will give you a hug.

•Will let you sleep on him.

•He might start crying too. He feels so powerless in such a situation. Seeing his significant other panicking and not knowing what to do or say.

•He'll try and ask what's wrong but being in a similar position, he knows how annoying it can be when someone asks what's wrong.

•He's distant but close at the same time if that makes any sense.

•He'll read a book to you if you want.

•He'll try and whisper sweet nothings but again this is pretty foreign for him

•He'll get take-out for you and put on some anime.

•He'll even watch an anime he really hates as long as it makes you feel better.

•By the next day he'll pretend nothing happened but just expect a stuffed animal packaged up at your door. Who sent it? I dunno. (Not him that's for sure nope nope totally not him.)

Them reacting to you saying you're a burnout gifted kid.

Hyuk

•He kinda relates.

•He will always be there to let you know you're doing great.

•He will always be there to support.

•When he sees your homework scores lowering and grades crashing he'll be there to help you somehow.

•He actually does your homework while you sleep. By the time you wake up you have no clue because he made copies of it but he actually used your account to submit the work. Man the shit he does for you.

•One of the school staff actually almost caught him saying "You're not acting like your usual self. You never get such good score in math."

•Thankfully he looked at how you talk online especially to teachers and managed to kinda copy how you talk online.

•He still thinks you should talk to someone about this. You know someone professional.

•Again though he'll always be there for you.

Wook

•He wouldn't know what to tell you.

•"Yeah... that does suck."

•He'll support you and try to get you mental help for it but... yeah.

•He can't really relate to the whole burnout thing so he's very distant here.

•Course that doesn't mean he won't try and help you.

•Again he wants you to get mental help especially since he isn't the best with words.

•Really he's clueless. He'll try his best but honestly even Wook thinks he's the worst person for this.

Jisu

•She also can't really relate since she was always just the band kid scraping by back in school.

•She's still very empathetic.

•She'll try her absolute best to help you with the long term damage that is gifted child burnout.

•She will make sure you don't go abusing substances. So no you cannot have any of her cigarettes. She will literally throw them all away.

•She'll write songs to motivate you.

•She'll make sure you never give up on something just because you didn't get it right the first time.

•Seriously this woman loves you, she'll do anything to motivate you and make you happy.

Yuri

•Now Yuri can semi-relate. Being trained to take care of the elderly did do a number on her so she knows burnout when she sees it.

•She will literally smack your hand if you try and overwork yourself.

•"Don't. I'll do it."

•She really wants to do everything for you because she hates seeing you all burnt out.

•She's stubborn as hell so it's gonna take a lot to convince her to let you actually do your work.

•Seriously somebody come get her she's starting to burnout herself.

Hyun

•Lmao Hyun can relate 100%

•He IS a burnout gifted kid.

•So yeah he is actually the worst person to go to for this issue since he's having the same problem.

•However! That doesn't make him all bad.

•You can be burnout gifted kids together!

•Whether it's cuddling while comparing your current selves to your past selves or playing video games together to feel a false sense of achievement, you guys are doing this together.

•Is it the best and most healthy way to deal with this problem? No!

•Is it still a pretty great thing to have your boyfriend by your side and sharing all of your pain every step of the way? Hell yeah!

•In all seriousness, you two try to support each other.

•Lean on each other when the burnout gets unbearable. He'll offer a shoulder to cry on and you'll reciprocate (at least I hope you do.)

•You both try to get mental help or at the very least join one of those support servers on Discord.

•You guys often lie in bed late at night talking about how you both feel like failures. To which Hyun says "We can be failures together." In an attempt to make you feel better.

•It actually... kinda helped.

°

°

°

And with that being said, today's headcanons are done! If you want you can drop some requests, although I don't do any NSFW requests. But yeah that's it. I'm pooped, bye!💝

[tommybaholland]

Hiya! I was wondering if I could request a one-shot with Sugawara where the reader is his best friend and secretly loves him but he doesn’t know? Then maybe another person catches his attention and the reader starts to distance themselves from Suga to try to spare themselves the hurt? Then maybe turns out the other person was just using Suga/wasn’t serious bout him and he realizes that the person he really loves is the reader but now they’re staying away from him and just angst and fluff and dramatic confessions?? Sorry if it’s far too much detail, I get carried away. Your writing is amazing, keep up the fantastic work!

somebody, some body

featuring: sugawara 

goddddd i’m so sorry i am late with a post AGAIN. this has been way overdue to be posted actually, and last night i finished it and was almost done with editing but accidentally lost everything i added and edited in the draft :// so thank you for being patient with me! this ended up being pretty long, so hopefully that makes up for the wait :) anyway, i really liked this idea! i have a little personal experience with this kind of situation, so it was fun to explore those feelings a bit. thanks for requesting and enjoy!

you didn’t always know that you would be in love with koshi sugawara. your dynamic was always friendly, and nothing more. so where did you go wrong?

when you think back to your history with suga, you could never find yourself resenting any time you spent with him. it all started when you moved into his neighborhood and as a shy child, you didn’t have the easiest time making friends. but he was a kind boy who was around your age and made it easy for you to form a bond with him. after all those years, neither one of you had changed that much. you were still reserved at heart but, he was the one who pushed you to things that you both could enjoy. 

one is joining the high school volleyball club together. you weren’t usually one to go outside of your comfort zone, but with him, you felt like you could do anything. he had you fuel your enthusiasm and you had him to thank for that. volleyball ended up being a great idea because it was quite a versatile sport that anyone could play. you found that you were quite athletic and took a liking to the libero position. there was just something exciting about digging a ball off the ground and rolling on the floor to get back up again. also, it looked pretty cool. 

so that was great until you hurt your shoulder during a game, which ended up being more severe than it seemed. now you couldn’t lift your left arm very far over your head unless you wanted to dislocate your shoulder again. it was already a tough recovery period because all you wanted to do was get back to the game. 

he was there with you for the entirety of it and even though he mostly encouraged you, he had to make sure you knew you wouldn’t do anything to hurt yourself. you felt helpless. it was the lowest he had ever seen you and he did everything he could to lift you back up again.

that was something you could never take for granted with him. 

the thing about you and suga is that you were in constant contact, especially during school. if it wasn’t sending each other funny memes or tiktoks, you were either on snapchat with each other or texting. sometimes simultaneously. 

are you alive?? 

yeah i’m awake, unfortunately

what do u want sugar-wara 

whoa how are you up this early lol and sugar is my thing ok

let’s go get sweet buns before class

ur right, it is ur thing. ur sugar-wara

okay i’ll meet you by the light in 15 

there was a lonely intersection in your neighborhood with a red stoplight that seems to have malfunctioned and now the light never stops blinking. you and suga lived on the same street, with the intersection being a perfect place to literally meet in the middle. 

“hey, sugar-- uh oh. someone doesn’t look so sweet today!”

he was always so peppy in the mornings. 

“yeah, well, maybe if someone didn’t wake me up with their annoying texts..”

“if you really don’t want to be woken up, you’d put your phone on do not disturb. you can thank me later for being your alarm clock.” 

he gave you a bright smile and a few head pats before you set off down the road to your favorite bakery which happened to be on the way to school. you didn’t go every morning, but most days it was necessary for you to start your day off right. 

“how’s the team looking this year, mr. vice captain?”

“pretty good, actually! four first years joined the team and one of them’s over six feet tall. our blocks will be unstoppable!”

 there were several things you loved about suga but, if there was one thing you enjoyed most, it was hearing him get psyched about volleyball. even though you couldn’t play anymore, his undying enthusiasm for the sport made you feel like you were living through him vicariously. 

“and there’s one who’s on the shorter side, only a little taller than noya. but he seems to have so much energy and drive, it’s just-- i don’t know, i have a feeling we could actually make it to nationals this year.” 

“wow, that’s great!” 

“you should come to practice and see them! also we just got asahi back so i need to make sure my sets really land.” 

“kou, you know i love watching you guys but isn’t that what kiyoko’s there for?”

“well, yeah, but you know how i play best!”

“yeah, sure. it’s not like i have anything better to do.” 

“you never let me down!” 

 his smile never let you down. 

it was your senior year of high school and it felt like things were going to be nothing but great.

“so...speaking of you knowing me best,” he started rather hesitantly.

“what would you do if i...made you dinner?”

“i...what?”

“oh, uh, oh, no. not, like, i make you dinner but, like...rei finally agreed to come around tonight and i thought i’d make something for them.”

“oh, um,” you tried to force a smile. “yeah, i think they’d like that.”

“yeah? you don’t think it’s too cheesy or anything? we haven’t hung out very much but i’d thought it would be a nice way to show them that i mean what i feel, you know?”

“yeah, yeah! that sounds perfect, kou..”

if only they knew that they were so lucky. 

you knew about this person, rei. they were your teammate and even a friend at one time. they transferred to karasuno during your second year and you bonded over your shared interest of the libero position. they didn’t get to play much that season until you got injured and had to quit playing. 

to see them fill that position so easily, it made you feel so type of way. a way that suga couldn’t know because even though he was there for you, he couldn’t deny his feelings. you remember when he told you that he liked them. about how he’s liked them ever since they came to karasuno and about how he was nervous to talk to them. 

and guess what?

you encouraged him. you encouraged him to try to pursue someone who you knew and liked, so now you had to hide that you were envious of both their position on the team AND the fact that your best friend is in love with them. 

at first, you tried to look at it as a positive point. you were still friendly with them, but volleyball was the only thing that connected you so you didn’t talk to them that much anymore. but now that suga, the person you’re closest to, was talking to them, it opened up the possibility that you would be able to reconnect with them. you had to be supportive. you were his friend, his closest friend, after all. 

-

the next morning you didn’t wake up from a text from suga. no, it took several snooze buttons to wake you up, which already put you in a bad mood. 

it’s ur turn now. are u alive??

i actually woke up to my alarms, how weird. u must be dead lol 

also have you done the english assignment yet? i need serious help >_<

you weren’t afraid to double, triple, even quadruple text him because more often than not, he did that to you. sometimes he’d even send longish paragraphs as he did later that day when classes had already started. 

hey sorry today has just been filled with fun and thriving and good stuff! rei asked me if i wanted to meet up with them before school last night and they made me some sweet buns and they were soooo good. i think we’re going to eat lunch together with some of their friends from vbc. ugh english sucks for me too. idk why you think i’m good at it

you almost jumped at the gesture to reply. it was never this long that he would go without text you at least one dumb thing. 

haha it’s okay don’t be sorry! so i guess last night went well?

also ur great at english sugar-wara what r u talking about??

it surprised you how quickly they seemed to become so friendly. it was kinda weird that he would already be spending a lot of time with her and now meeting all her friends. he probably already knew of them though, with volleyball and everything. the thoughts of how long you would have to wait for a reply crept in your mind, but that was quickly erased by an elapsed period of only a few minutes. 

yeah it went great! they had never had someone cook for them before, so they really liked it. this morning they told me they’d show me how to make fried eggs bc i said i dont know how to use a stove lol 

wait you made a whole meal for this person and u don’t know how to use the stove??

i used a crockpot and microwave ok :// don’t make fun of me dingus 

well a stove would definitely broaden ur horizons lmao that’s nice it went well though 

thank you i hope its going well 

that conversation was truly the end of the beginning. 

Every day after that seemed to happen the same way. you’d wake up, no text from suga. he hadn’t even replied to what you last said the previous night. you didn’t see him much either, but you knew who he was with probably. you would still stop by at volleyball practice where you did get to see him but they were there also. so you found yourself dipping out a lot more. 

it just felt weird. seeing him talk to someone he didn’t even know before. they didn’t even know him. even when you two were on the team together, they never once showed much interest in him and now it just seemed strange that they would. 

the transition was particularly difficult for you, as much as you didn’t want to admit it. one night you were so overwhelmed with work because you had waited too long to do it. frantically texting suga was an understatement. 

you knew you couldn’t put all your reliance on him but it was weird that he wasn’t replying on a school night as he was just as much a procrastinator as you. you dragged yourself through the night, trying to put together a somewhat coherent speech for english the next day. which, again, started as it had for the past few weeks. you still hadn’t heard from him, but it doesn’t even matter anymore. by the time he replied, it was almost embarrassing on your part. 

oh my god y/n i’m so sorry i didn’t reply sooner. i tried to get all my work done early so i could hang out with rei last night and i was asking my mom for advice and she told me to just pay attention to them as much as possible so i just wanted to be with them, you know? but i really hope you didn’t beat yourself up too much about it and that you got at least a little sleep. i’m sure your speech went well :) 

you sounded desperate for his help and meanwhile, he’s genuinely trying to show someone how much they mean to him. could you look any more stupid? 

you didn’t even want to reply but you felt like you had to. 

no don’t be sorry koshi! if anything i’m sorry i was just super frustrated in the moment and didn’t know what to do. i managed to pull something halfway decent together i think so it’s all okay now 

was it okay though? 

that was when you realized that things would never be the same. you’re his best friend and that’s simply it. you mean something to him, but not the same something that they mean to him. you couldn’t go to him when you help because then you’d be taking his time away from someone who wanted to feel that special meaning. it was a hard pill to swallow, for sure. but there were still several questions that lingered in the potential of what your relationship could be.

isn’t it possible to be both a best friend and a partner at the same time? you didn’t see any problem with it, so why couldn’t it be true? 

-

two weeks past and suga, your best friend, decided to let you in on some news. 

going up against all these powerhouse schools is definitely tough but it’ll help our team in the long run. we’re really amped to play seijoh soon but also i have an s/o now who can come and cheer us on 

WAIT you guys made it official?? when?

haha we’ve been official for like two weeks now 

oh well that’s great! 

(what the actual hell.)

months went by and you saw suga maybe two or three times. and only saw him, usually with the rest of the volleyball team or with rei and their friends. you texted now and then but it wasn’t the same. you had to accept that it wouldn’t be the same, so you did. you had a good group of friends who you spent more of your time with, as well as trying to focus as much as possible on school. entrance exams were coming up and you couldn’t let this be your downfall, even though you and suga had previously talked about possibly going to the same college together. but that wasn’t important anymore. 

you had your priorities and suga had his. 

which was the biggest reason why you decided not to go to the game against aoba johsai. you told him that you would try to make it, if schoolwork and college prep courses would lend you the chance. you were just trying to focus on yourself and work hard in on your own. you still texted him just to show that you still cared. 

sorry i couldn’t make it to the game! how did it go?

we lost :’(( we were so close too 

oh no :( i’m sorry kou. but i know you guys will get them next time!

he never replied, which only made you want to grow further from him. 

summer vacation rolled around and it was about a month out from suga’s birthday. a strange text appeared from someone you didn’t expect. 

Hey so I wanted to get manga for suga for his bday but I cannot for the life of me remember which ones he has so can you try to casually ask him which ones he has? like the next time you guys talk about manga or something?

you felt weird that they were asking for your help, considering that they now spent more time with him than you did. but you weren’t going to completely ignore them either.

to be honest we haven’t talked a whole lot lately but i’ll try to subtly ask him 

Okay awesome thanks!

what were you thinking of getting him?

Deathnote lol nothing original

hmm maybe the new aot volume? 

Yeah, that’s a good one. Or maybe BNHA

yeah that too! do you still want me to ask him? 

Yeah could you? 

yeah sure!

Yay thanks! 

okay i’ll let you know what i find out

going through with this was even worse. if it were you, you’d take him to see his favorite artist in concert. he wasn’t never much of a concert guy but he would talk about how badly he wanted to go see them live. or a more lowkey and personal option would be to customize a crewneck for him. you had a knack for designing and decorating plain-looking clothes and he would try to do it himself but would always remark how much better yours always turned out. 

but this time you’re simply the messenger and wouldn’t get that chance to get him something you know he’d love. not that he wouldn’t like manga, but it just seemed like they weren’t putting a ton of thought into it. maybe you couldn’t blame them though, it had only been a few months that they had been dating. 

that conversation honestly seemed more out-of-the-blue than anything, but you were hoping that suga would be as oblivious as ever. it didn’t even matter in the end because he never even answered your subtle way of asking. you didn’t feel like double texting because a.) you hadn’t done that in months and b.) it seemed too obvious. 

in the end, you did all that you could do and told rei that you had no information to provide, even after a week had passed. that was your, now monthly, interaction with suga that month. 

but it wasn’t like you weren’t thinking about him. 

your interactions moved from text to strictly snapchat, where you would hold streaks for considerable amounts of time. but every time you seemed to break contact with him, you found yourself blaming them. but you couldn’t blame them. they were with him, dating him. they had a right to claim a spot by his side. you had learned to pull back and just live your life. 

but life didn’t want you to have a great time either. albeit through a simple app like snapchat, he was the one asking you if you were okay. at this point, you would probably just deflect but somehow, you found yourself telling him about how you didn’t do so well on your entrance exams, despite having done what you could to prepare for them. you just thought you were so focused to do well, but maybe it was too much focus. you told him it would be alright. another notification came through.

snapchat from sugar wara  

you opened it to a selfie of him, one that was angled upwards to position him looking right up into the camera, his wide hazel eyes being the centerpiece of the photo. the caption simply said, “promise?”

and that was when it happened. you felt something different in your heart like it was knocked around in your chest. you smiled at the simple response and replied, “yeah i promise!!” 

it felt strange, but you finally admitted it, 

you were in love with koshi sugawara. 

timing was, without a doubt, a demise in all of your previous relationship endeavors. you could never seem to get that part right, also coming in too fast or not knowing if you should wait. you had only hoped that someone you liked would like you just as much. so catching feelings for someone, strong feelings at that, was not part of your current life plans. let alone with suga, someone you were, at one point, extremely close to. 

you know so much about him and what scared you was that your confession would be the only one that could mess up whatever relationship you had left with him. why couldn’t you just enjoy where you stood with him? why should your selfish feeling have to get in the way? 

stupid was an understatement as you how you felt. he was still dating rei, and that didn’t look like it was going to end anytime soon. you didn’t know what to do or how to cope. you can fight your feelings, but they can’t change right away. and for as long as you’ve known suga, the history you’ve shared with him, it seemed like these feelings weren’t leaving anytime soon. 

you spent the next couple of weeks trying to get everything out, while simultaneously trying to forget. you vented about it to your friends and while most of them offered advice, you stuck with just remaining stagnant. one of them suggested that you confess to him but that was what you feared most: that your feeling would become so overwhelming that you had to do something impulsive to relieve them. he would probably never talk to you again. there was nothing you could do. he was in a relationship with someone he really likes. why would you try to ruin that for him? 

you didn’t go to any of the preliminaries, mostly because of prep courses and trying to prepare for the next round of entrance exams. you still kept up with suga and saw that they won in the game against seijoh and we now going to the finals against shiratorizawa. you swiped up on his story and typed a simple, “omg that's amazing!! see I knew you guys could do it.” you continue to scroll through your phone, not thinking that much about it until a notification popped up.

sugar wara is typing…

snapchat from sugar wara

yeah it was great! Wish you could have been here though :(

me too! college prep courses seem to have been taking up all my time :P

is there any chance that you could try to find time to come to finals? 

we've been trying to get all the support that we can

plus it would be nice to see a familiar face there :) 

yeah i'll see what i can do to try to be there!

 wymd a familiar face? hasn't rei been going to the prelims?

they have been but we actually broke up about two weeks ago

i sort of initiated it but i promise it's okay

your eyes almost fell out of your head when you read that 2 weeks ago you were talking about how you were in love with him and were and decided to accept that it wasn't going to happen. now you're hearing that at the same time they had broken up? It seemed odd and... bittersweet. 

oh no i'm sorry kou :(

you bit your lip as you couldn't help but ask.

wdym you initiated it tho?

so kageyama has been killing it as our setter especially with his quick attack move with hinata 

rei was worried that i wasn't being treated fairly bc i'm a senior and vice-captain and all that. i tried to reassure them that i just want to see our team thrive and go to nationals but they still were worried about it and would talk about how they would go to games and never see me play once

it's been hard especially that it happened right before the seijoh game and now before finals

yeah i'm sure it's been difficult 

but don't beat yourself don't blame yourself so much! the team needs your support just as much as it needs players. nobody could replace that :)

thanks y/n :) i appreciate you so much

although you thought you would be happy, you can’t help but still feel weird about this whole thing. you felt like the ball was in your court but your bum arm couldn’t receive it properly. your feelings for him had been strong and you felt like you had to pack them all the way so now it just felt wrong to let them flow out again. but now that there was no conflict of interest, did you have to hide your feelings? 

it was more complicated than it was before. you didn't know how anything was going to play out at all and that kinda scared you. you did know one thing though, and that was how to be a loyal friend to suga because that's all you ever were from the start and that's what you could and would be for the future.

-

it was the friday before the finals game. 

you decided to stay late after school to maximize your focus on studying. it seemed to have worked because the sun was going down before you knew it. you wanted to get ahead on work so you could go to the game tomorrow. you and suga had been talking more recently and while it wasn’t as much as it used to be, it was more than it had been in the past several months. 

you quickly gathered up your things and left school for the night. the pretty orange and pink sky lit your way home through the quiet town and into the residential parts. at that point, the dark had met and light and-

“y/n! hey, wait!”

you turned to see none other than suga, jogging up behind you to catch up. you smiled at his sudden presence, looking past him to see the small group of the rest of the team. 

“hey! funny seeing you here.”

“yeah, haha,” he chuckled, catching his breath from suddenly running a considerable distance. “are you going home?”

“yeah.”

“can i walk with you?”

“of course.”

great! so i’m guessing you stayed late at school? you’re still wearing your uniform.”

“oh, yeah,” you affirmed, looking down at your monotonous outfit. “i just wanted to be all caught up on work and studying so i could go to the game tomorrow.”

“oh, yeah? that’s good to hear! yeah, we were-- we just had a late practice. coach left before us but we wanted to stay a little longer.”

“i hope you guys win tomorrow, it seems like you’ve been working really hard.”

“yeah, i hope so too. we’ve come a long way in such a short amount of time, it just feels like we can’t stop now.” 

you nodded in agreement. there was a beat of silence just then, and while it wasn’t awkward, it felt like something was lingering in the air.

“so, um,” he spoke up after several seconds. his eyes met yours and you felt that pang in your chest again, quickly looking away. “it’s been a while, huh?”

“yeah. yeah, it has, i guess,” you laughed lightly. you reached the intersection with the never-ending blinking stoplight and you turned around to face him.

“but i guess i’ll see you tomorrow, right?”

“yeah. yeah!”

“okay, get some sleep. goodnight.”

he nodded and you grinned at him before turning around to walk the rest of the way home until his voice stopped you again.

“hey, y/n?”

“yeah, kou?”

he looked down and all around, anywhere but your face.

“i, um, i know things have been kinda weird between for a while but it’s made me realize that i missed you, a lot.”

“yeah, i missed you, too.”

“but it’s also made me realize that i enjoy spending time with you and talking to you. like, even now, just talking to you makes me feel-- i don’t know. it makes me feel at ease like i’m home. and i’d really like to spend more time with you because i, um, i really like you.”

“you, you what?”

“i really like you, sugar.”

in all the ways you had imagined this happening, you never thought that you would feel your face fall to a frown, your heart beating in your ears. something just didn’t sit right with you about it.

“i, i, i don’t know what to say...”

“it’s okay if you don’t! i just wanted to tell you.”

“but why are you telling me this now?”

“do you-- do you not feel the same?”

“no. no! i’ve been wanting to hear you say something like that for so long, it’s just. you broke up with rei not too long ago and-- i don’t know. something isn’t right about it.” you shook your head, unsure of what you were trying to say.

“it’s how i feel,” he shrugged. “i just wanted to tell you and have a good feeling to hold onto to make tomorrow a little easier.”

you looked at him in disbelief.

“oh, so you think you can confess all that to me right before this big game and that i’ll automatically reciprocate those feelings when you just broke up with someone not even a month ago? i’m not a second choice--”

“no, sugar, listen, that’s not how i meant it at all--”

“no sugawara.” those words made him go quiet instantly. you never used his full name, there was always some sort of play on it, so this was serious. 

“maybe that’s not how you meant it, but that’s how i’m taking it. i’ve been wanting to tell you for so long how i felt but i wanted to respect your feelings so i didn’t. so please, respect mine. i’m not the good luck charm that you can just confess to and expect that it’ll all be okay. this just isn’t right. i’m sorry, koshi. 

your voice broke as his name left your lips, tears beginning to fall. you didn’t even give him a chance to respond, a rush of adrenaline telling you to quickly turn and get out of there. 

-

you didn’t get much sleep that night. 

it was hard not to think about your conflicted feelings over suga’s confession. you had hoped for that moment for a long time but the timing simply wasn’t right. how funny and ironic is that? you thought your timing was off. maybe you were meant for each other in that way. you couldn’t help but let your feelings get the best of you and you were beginning to become what you feared most from him. you thought he would immediately reject you and make you feel bad about ever saying anything about how you felt. but the roles are reversed and that was the part that blindsided you the most. 

you didn’t think that how you reacted was wrong but you also couldn’t imagine how he was feeling right now. he just wanted to feel good right before a big game but that backfired right in his face. some might call it karma, but part of you thought he didn’t deserve it. 

the pressure was setting in as the game went into the fifth and final set. what made it worse was kageyama wouldn’t be starting that set, his nose bleeding from the spike he took to the face. suga was genuinely thrilled to be a teacher, a mentor, and a support system for his fellow teammates. he didn’t mind that another, rather talented, setter had joined the team because that meant he wouldn’t have to worry about passing the position over to someone who he thought didn’t deserve it. 

he almost forgot he was actually a player on the team when everyone looked to him to fill in. this was his moment and it just happened to be at the most overwhelming part of this game. Both teams were tired while simultaneously running on pure adrenaline to see who was going to come out on top. 

suga had an opportunity, not only to start the set but be the trailblazer for their success. 

the nerves set in as he held up the paddle with the number nine on it, kageyama holding it up with him for a moment. It was symbolic in a way. suga always thought he’d be passing the baton to him, his successor as karasuno’s official setter, but this felt just as sentimental. Suga hadn’t played much this season but he got to watch the team grow into something that it once was: something great. They’ve had their share of loss and strife but it finally seemed like they had come so far and the only direction they can go is up. 

the nerves set in as he looked around, anywhere to ease them. His eyes automatically went to the team banner, black with the simple word ‘fly’ written over it, where all the school and their supporters were watching. he went down the line quickly but the wave of a hand caught his eye. his eyes shifted back and felt that familiar grin on him.

it was you. 

“c’mon suga! You can do it!”

and so he did. 

once the final ball hit the ground, the room was quiet with shock. it had been tight for most of the game but no one really expected this outcome. they were going to nationals. daichi, suga, and asahi embraced, taking in the satisfying feeling of victory. 

after the awards ceremony, you were buzzing with excitement for them, trying to calmly follow the rest of the crowd out of the gym. you could tell they were somewhere along the hallway as another crowd formed to congratulate the winning team. you weaved in and out of it, even getting on your toes to see if you could spot a familiar head of gray hair. 

you finally caught a glance at him from afar, his smile growing as his eyes locked onto yours.

“y/n!”

you mimicked his expression and found your feet moving quicker than your brain could process. he put in the same amount of haste to meet you in the middle. you both stopped at about an arm’s length away from each other. his flushed cheeks and slightly red but glistening eyes held your smile as you decided to speak first. 

“hey, kou.”

“hey, sugar.”

another minute couldn’t be wasted as you finally crashed into one another. it felt better to hold somebody that you knew and genuinely loved. you could be sure that he felt the same way as he held your body tightly against him. 

heyo haikyuu night! send any requests right here..